Virimi Vakatawa and Kylan Hamdaoui out of France vs Italy

Image: France centre Virimi Vakatawa's injury-enforced omission is the one change to the XV

France centre Virimi Vakatawa and full-back Kylan Hamdaoui have been ruled out of Sunday's Six Nations meeting with Italy due to injury.

New Zealand-born Vakatawa has not fully recovered from a tricep injury he sustained early on in France's 24-17 home victory over England in their opener last weekend.

The in-form 27-year-old, who has scored seven tries for club side Racing 92 so far this season, played the majority of the contest with heavy strapping on his left arm.

Montpellier's Arthur Vincent comes into the side at outside-centre to replace Vakatawa, with the 20-year-old set to make his first Test start for France.

The rest of the starting team remains unchanged, with Charles Ollivon leading the team from the side of the scrum.

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There is also one change among the replacements as lock Romain Taofifenua replaces Vincent, with Galthie opting for an extra forward against the physical Italians.

Hamdaoui, 25, had been ruled out of the match at Stade de France due to an ankle problem.

Also See:

France: 15 Anthony Bouthier, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Vincent Rattez, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Anthony Dupont; 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Boris Palu, 21 Cameron Woki, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Matthieu Jalibert.

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