France need to declare victory or risk the wheels coming off their Six Nations campaign completely. In the first round against Ireland, there was the caveat of playing 50 minutes with 14 men following Paul Willemse’s red card. However, defeating Scotland in the second round and overcoming a controversial no-try call by the TMO, which denied a Scottish player at the end of the match, increased the pressure for Les Bleus.
And Italy are no longer the strong team they once were. Yes, Ireland taught them a lesson in Dublin, but this Irish team looks a class above the rest. The Azzurri will take no chances.
When is France vs Italy?
France and Italy will play on Sunday 25th February. The match kicks off at 3pm (GMT).
Where will France vs Italy be played?
Decathlon Arena – Lille Stade Pierre Mauroy.
How to watch France vs Italy on TV
The match will be broadcast live on ITV.
Who is the referee?
Christoph Ridley (English). Telegraph Sport has published a complete guide for all referees at this year’s tournament.
What’s the latest news?
The Telegraph’s rugby correspondent Charles Richardson says France are starting to look like the mob they were five years ago, after a disastrous first-leg loss to Ireland and a lucky win over Scotland.
Who are you and what have you done with the boys in blue? A rejuvenated France, banishing traditional Gallic clichés. Dazzling France. A France where fans could dream big and bold dreams with a ball in their hands.
Teething problems were expected in the first round, and French rugby acquiesced on the condition that there would be a backlash at Murrayfield in the second round. Judging from the results, yes. But in terms of France’s overall performance, there was little to write home about, apart from the odd moment of individual excellence and a tenacity to the finish line. And even that could have had a very different outcome. In quiet whispers, France was beginning to look like the mob that Fabien Galtier took over at the end of 2019.