Les Bleus could continue their own unlikely march towards title contention if they can overcome a determined looking Azzurri side at Stade de France. The Italians have won two out of the last three fixtures, but each of those came in Rome, and Paris has proved an impossible task thus far in the eight previous attempts at an upset. After a decent showing in Cardiff, Sergio Parisse will be hoping his men can lift themselves again, but the morale-boosting win over England should give France all the motivation they need to keep the momentum going.
Philippe Saint-André has opted to keep the team fresh, rotating Dimitri Szarzewski back in at hooker and Yoann Maestri at lock, with Benjamin Kayser switched to the bench and Alexandre Flanquart out of the side altogether, with Sébastien Vaha’amahina taking a place among the reserves. Shifty Stade Francais fullback Hugo Bonneval is to win his first cap on the wing in place of Maxime Medard in the only change in the backs. Saint-André has opted for a conventional 5/3 bench split this time and, with Antoine Burban out injured, he has recalled Montpellier flyhalf François Trinh-Duc for the first time in 11 months.
Jacques Brunel has also made changes, bringing in Alberto de Marchi and Joshua Furno at the expense of Michele Rizzo and Marco Bortolami in the tight five. Alessandro Zanni is left on the bench as precaution after breaking his nose last week, with Francesco Minto on the flank instead. Two changes in the back see Gonzalo Garcia replace ineffectual Alberto Sgarbi at inside centre, and Tommaso Iannone in for debutant Angelo Esposito, who finds himself on the bench this week.
Furno’s selection might be an indication that Italy will attack the French lineout, particularly with Szarzewski’s sometimes inconsistent throwing. Garcia is a stronger defensively, and a little more direct than Sgarbi, and might also be used as a goal kicker, particularly in long-range scenarios given Tommaso Allan’s difficulties last week. Iannone is a versatile player who can come off his wing and offer something different, though not the out-and-out attacker that Esposito is.
This could be a bit scrappy for a while as Italy will try to spoil the French set piece and control the pace to frustrate Les Bleus. Wales didn’t get much change out of the Italian defense but France are a different kettle of fish. As long as the forwards can find parity, their superior midfield will find space for the dangerous runners outside. Expect a close battle until the final quarter, when France slip away to win by 12.
FRANCE vs ITALY
Sunday, February 9, Paris, 15:00 GMT
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistants: Craig Joubert (SARU) & Francisco Pastrana (UAR)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (WRU)
