France host Italy in spherical three of the Six Nations this afternoon hoping to construct on their spectacular, albeit controversial, win over Scotland and full back-to-back victories on this marketing campaign.
Les Bleus opened the competitors in Marseille the place they have been hammered 38-17 by Ireland and journey to Lille this afternoon as renovation work continues on the Stade de France forward of this summer season’s Olympic Games. France bounced again for a 20-16 success towards Scotland at Murrayfield although the hosts have been controversially denied a last-gasp successful attempt.
In distinction, Italy, who’re being led by new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, began the Six Nations nicely with a testing and aggressive 24-27 loss to England in Rome. Much like France, their confidence took successful once they got here up towards the Irish who romped to a 36-0 victory in Dublin final day out.
The Azzurri shall be hoping to bounce again from that loss and document a third-ever Six Nations victory over France when the 2 sides conflict this afternoon.
Follow all of the Six Nations motion under plus get the most recent odds and ideas proper right here:
Duhan van der Merwe and Scotland make Calcutta Cup historical past to depart England with robust questions
The jet-heeled wing – who scored a shocking double at Twickenham simply over 12 months in the past – had the house crowd in raptures as he produced a Murrayfield masterclass to encourage his staff to a 30-21 victory and transfer to inside one in every of Scotland’s all-time document try-scorer Stuart Hogg.
England began brightly and opened up an early 10-0 lead, with George Furbank scoring his first worldwide attempt, however Steve Borthwick’s males supplied little thereafter as their unbeaten begin to the championship shuddered to a halt.
Remarkably, they’ve now received solely one of many final seven conferences with Scotland.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 11:05
Who is Posolo Tuilagi? Manu’s large nephew set to make first France begin in Six Nations
Now it’s time to meet the subsequent era. Having made a few appearances off the bench on this Six Nations, Posolo Tuilagi will make his first France begin towards Italy in Lille, the hulking lock thought of a rising star. Still an adolescent, Posolo stays eligible for France’s Under 20s, however has already featured prominently in two Top 14 seasons for Perpignan, the membership at which father Henry ended his skilled taking part in profession.
Born in Samoa, Posolo has been in France since he was three and made his skilled debut for Les Sang et Or in September 2022. Weighing almost 150kg, his stature made him a direct stand-out, however Tuilagi combines his pure measurement benefit with the ability that has powered him into the worldwide image so quickly.
Learn extra about France’s latest star:
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:45
Six Nations 2024 pundits and commentators for ITV and BBC
The Six Nations is ready to return to tv screens, with the BBC and ITV once more sharing protection of the annual championship.
The two terrestrial broadcasters’ mixed deal runs till the tip of the 2025 version.
A lot of acquainted faces will present knowledgeable perception and evaluation throughout the Six Nations marketing campaign, together with some key new additions.
Here is who you possibly can count on to see and listen to all through the Six Nations.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:25
Six Nations 2024 schedule in full: Fixtures, kick-off instances and outcomes
France vs Italy (Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille) – Sunday 25 February, 3pm GMT
Italy vs Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome) – Saturday 9 March, 2.15pm GMT
England vs Ireland (Twickenham, London) – Saturday 9 March, 4.45pm GMT
Wales vs France (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) – Sunday 10 March, 3pm GMT
Wales vs Italy (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) – Saturday 16 March, 2.15pm GMT
Ireland vs Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) – Saturday 16 March, 4.45pm GMT
France vs England (Groupama Stadium, Lyon) – Saturday 16 March, 8pm GMT
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:05
Powerhouse Posolo Tuilagi earns first France begin as Ross Vintcent will get Italy Six Nations name
Tuilagi, who weighs almost 150 kg and is the nephew of England star Manu Tuilagi, got here off the bench in France’s opening two matches of this 12 months’s championship, however now companions Cameron Woki within the second-row from the kick-off at Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
Meanwhile, Ross Vintcent will make a primary begin for Italy, as head coach Gonzalo Quesada named a much-changed staff from the spherical two defeat to Ireland.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:45
France v Italy referee: Who is Six Nations official Christophe Ridley?
Christophe Ridley will make his Six Nations debut after being appointed to referee the spherical three conflict between France and Italy.
The gifted younger Englishman joins the officiating panel as a lead official after the retirement of Wayne Barnes, having labored intently along with his compatriot throughout his profession to this point.
A former member of the academy at Leicester Tigers, Ridley switched to refereeing after a collection of accidents and has developed shortly by the ranks after finding out on the University of Gloucestershire.
Here’s all the things you want to find out about at this time’s referee:
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:25
Italy staff information
Gonzalo Quesada shuffles his pack after a bruising journey to Dublin that noticed Italy fail to register. Federico Mori begins at inside centre with Tommaso Menoncello shifted out to the wing, whereas Martin Page-Relo replaces Stephen Varney at scrum half.
Riccardo Favretto will win his second worldwide cap three years on from his first in a new-look again row, with the uncapped Matteo Canali amongst Italy’s personal six-strong bench ahead unit.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Giosue Zilocchi; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Federico Mori, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Tommaso Menoncello; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Andrea Zambonin, 21 Manuel Zuliani; 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:10
France staff information
Fabien Galthie arms teenage lock Posolo Tuilagi his first begin within the French pack, with Paul Boudehent introduced into the again row after damage to Gregory Alldritt.
Charles Ollivon captains in Alldritt’s absence with Francois Cros sliding throughout to No 8, whereas potential debutant Esteban Abadie is one in every of six forwards on the bench. The spectacular Louis Bielle-Biarrey was set to start out on the left wing as soon as extra however Toulouse star Matthis Lebel was a late call-up to exchange him on Saturday.
France XV: 1 Cyrill Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Posolo Tuilagi; 6 Paul Boudehent, 7 Charles Ollivon (capt.), 8 Francois Cros; 9 Maxime Lucu, 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Matthis Lebel, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Gael Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud; 15 Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Esteban Abadie; 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:00
France v Italy odds and prediction
A France win. France 35-15 Italy.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 08:50
How to observe France v Italy
France vs Italy is because of kick off at 3pm GMT on Sunday 25 February on the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille. France are holding their three house video games on this championship away from Paris with the Stade de France out of motion forward of this summer season’s Olympics.
Viewers within the United Kingdom can watch the match reside on ITV1, with protection on the channel from 2.15pm. A reside stream shall be obtainable by way of ITVX.
If you’re travelling overseas and wish to watch main sporting occasions, you may want a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is right here to assist and consists of offers on VPNs available in the market. Viewers utilizing a VPN must ensure that they adjust to any native laws the place they’re, and in addition with the phrases of their service supplier.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 08:40
Source: www.unbiased.co.uk