Italy have impressed so far, beating Scotland before an agonising 20-13 defeat by Ireland, but France will fancy their chances of continuing their strong start.
Giacomo Nicotera was among the scorers as Italy were beaten by Ireland last time out
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France vs Italy date, kick-off time and venue
France vs Italy takes place on Sunday February 22, 2026, at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3.10pm GMT.
How to watch France vs Italy
TV channel: In the UK, France vs Italy is being shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2.20pm GMT ahead of a 3.10pm kick-off.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is available to those with a valid TV license.
France vs Italy team news
France have changed their second-row partnership, with Toulouse locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou replacing Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard.
They are the only changes to France’s XV from their 54-12 win over Wales.
Matthieu Jalibert is at No10, with Louis Bielle-Barry on the wing.
Matthieu Jalibert keeps his place in the France XV
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There is rotation on the bench, too, as hooker Peato Mauvaka, prop George-Henri Colombe and centre Pierre-Louis Barassi are all called up in place of Maxime Lamothe, Regis Montagne and Noah Nene.
France-born Ange Capuozzo returns for Italy at full-back having missed the first two matches with a fractured finger.
That is the only change for Gonzalo Quesada’s side.
France XV: Ramos, Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Dupont; Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch
Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Colombe, Ollivon, Guillard, Nouchi, Serin, Barassi
Italy XV: Capuzzo, Lynagh, Menoncello, Marin, Ioane, Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Nannone, Zambonin, Lamaro, Zuliani, Cannone
Replacements: Dimcheff, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, Garbisi, Odogwu
France vs Italy head to head (h2h) history and results
Last year’s Six Nations saw France face Italy for the fiftieth time, with that match ending 73-24 in favour of Les Bleus.
Antoine Dupont was among the scorers as France beat Italy in the 2025 Six Nations
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France vs Italy prediction
At face value, this clash seems to be a case of an unstoppable force meeting a movable object.
That is not to discount Italy’s remarkable progress in recent years, or their impressive defeat of Scotland in this tournament’s first matchday.
But the Azzurri will visit Lille as considerable underdogs, and will have their work cut out for them against Les Bleus, who have shown few, if any, weaknesses thus far in their campaign.
There are three more matches between France and the Grand Slam, but they will not expect their progress to be disrupted here.
France to win by 30 points.
France vs Italy match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
