Following their thrilling 13-all draw in Paris last year, Italy will look to go the distance against a wobbling France outfit at the Stadio Olimpico in the third round of the Six Nations on Sunday. Shaun Goosen previews.
2025 Six Nations
Italy v France
Sunday 23 February – 15:00
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
France will feel they have a point to prove after a disappointing loss at Twickenham in round two. They head to the Italian capital on Sunday evening know that nothing less than a bonus-point win will suffice as they try to keep pace with Ireland atop the Championship standings.
To Win Match
Italy 7/1 | Draw 43/1 | France 1/14
The last time the Azzurri got one over their bitter rivals was back in 2013, with the hosts having since fallen to 14-successive defeats before their rousing draw of last year. Coming off the back of their round two 22-15 win over Wales, Gonzalo Quesada’s camp will definitely be quietly confident heading into the weekend.
Although Italy’s first round loss to Scotland would have been tough to stomach, particularly after overcoming some early setbacks in the Murrayfield encounter, that victory against the Welsh all but ensures they will avoid the wooden spoon for another season which could free them up to truly express themselves in the matches to come.
Such a thought certainly won’t do France any favours, whose wastefulness in London last time out cost them dearly. That 25-26 defeat to England has heaped the pressure on this golden generation of French rugby, who, in spite of their ludicrously talented player pool, have but a single Six Nations Grand Slam (in 2022) to show for it.
Still, one would expect them to arrive in Rome with a massive point to prove. Following the fallout of that England loss, and the result of last year’s game against the Italians, it’s unlikely Fabien Galthie’s charges will be complacent come kick-off. They’ll be dialled in from minute one, which could spell bad news for the home team.
While there is no official team news at the time of writing, rumours abound that Fabien Galthie is set to go nuclear against Italy with a reported 7-1 split, while brutally axing the likes Damian Penaud Matthieu Jalibert from his matchday squad.
Verdict: France (-14.5) 11/20
The French to use their enormous forward pack to bash Italy into submission and come away with a full house of points.
