Italy vs France Prediction: Azzurri to make life tough for France

Italy will look to win three successive Six Nations home games for the first time when they play host to France on Sunday at the Stadio Olimpico (15:00 KO, ITV1). 

The Azzurri beat Wales 22-15 last time out to boost their chances of avoiding this year's Wooden Spoon. France, who were hoping to top the standings this year, lost 26-25 to England at Twickenham and things are now wide open after two games. Italy held France to a 13-13 draw in the last Six Nations meeting in February 2024, and they will hope to drag Fabien Galthie's side into a dogfight in the Italian capital. 

Rugby Union Odds

Team News

Italy have made two changes to the team that beat Wales, with Simone Gesi replacing the injured Monty Ioane on the wing, while hooker Gianmarco Luccesi coming into the team for Giacomo Nicotera, who drops to the bench. 

France head coach Galthie has made sweeping changes to his team, with fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and wing Damian Penaud dropped to the bench. 

Thomas Ramos moves into the number 10, meaning Leo Barre and Theo Attissogbe coming into the back three alongside Louis Bielle-Biarrey. 

Emmanuel Meafou is unavailable because of an illness, meaning Thibaud Flament makes his first appearance of the Six Nations alongside Mickael Guillard in the second row. 

Galthie has gone for a 7-1 split on the bench, with scrum-half Maxime Lucu the only recognised back among the substitutes. 

Italy vs France Odds

France are the overwhelming favourites for Sunday's meeting 1/14, while the draw is priced at 28/1 and Italy are available at 8/1. 

The hosts have been boosted to 2/1 to win either half, while they are 1/1 to cover the +17 handicap.

France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey is the favourite to score anytime, with the youngster 1/2 to cross the line during the 80 minutes.

Italy +17 @ 1/1

France have won 13 of their last 14 matches against Italy, but the Azzurri will take plenty from the previous meeting 12 months ago. They were one kick away from victory and will take confidence from their recent home form. 

Gonzalo Quesada's side have beaten Wales and Scotland in their last two Six Nations games at home, and they will hope to catch France cold due to their numerous changes. 

Les Bleus should have too much quality across 80 minutes and should prevail, but the 17-point head start looks a little too big.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score anytime @ 1/2

Bordeaux and France winger Bielle-Biarrey has been in devastating form for club and country and he is the leading tryscorer in the Six Nations after two matches. 

The 21-year-old has scored four tries in two matches, while he has scored 20 for Bordeaux and France in 18 games since September. 

With the Azzurri likely to tire in the second half after a mammoth effort from the forwards, expected Bielle-Biarrey to find the space he needs to score and take his tally to at least five tries.

Offers

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