France v Italy: Five talking points ahead of their Six Nations clash
Last Updated: 06/02/16 2:17pm
France kick off the 2016 Six Nations by hosting Italy at Stade de France on Saturday.
New coach Guy Noves is looking to get France back to their best after a disappointing World Cup by combining some of the biggest forwards in world rugby with their traditional flair out in the backs.
Jacques Brunel will coach Italy for the final time at this tournament - apparently making way for Conor O'Shea - but his desire to leave Italy on a high look very slim indeed.
We look at five talking points ahead of their clash on Saturday.
Can Guy Noves deliver?
France have been in decline for some years despite the wealth of talent at their disposal. Under Philippe Saint-Andre, they finished fourth in the Six Nations three times and sixth once and Noves will be looking to get Les Bleus back on track.
We are hoping Noves shows a little more excitement on the day than he did in the build-up to their opening game against Italy: "I can wait... I'm not a young debutant," was his deadpan response.
But can France wait? The 61-year-old may have guided Toulouse to four European Cup victories and 10 French titles but the once-mighty club have not performed well in ages.
Saint Andre was perhaps guilty of trying to bring too much structure and trying to dampen the natural flair once synonymous with French rugby. We are expecting Noves to let them play with perhaps a little more leeway and see a return of that flair once more. Noves has also picked a monster forward pack but his job is to make sure he gets the combination of brute power and flair just right. If he can do that then France should be serious contenders for this year's tournament, however the Six Nations is littered with the shattered predictions of so-called French contenders.
The Vakatawa gamble
Noves has named four uncapped players to face Italy including Virimi Vakatawa. The wing started his career at Racing 92, but despite establishing himself as a star of France's Sevens team, he has not played any 15-man rugby since 2013.
His explosive and versatile style caught the eye of Noves, who admits he is not too sure what to expect
"I am not sure of anything, regarding him or any other player," said Noves.
"This is not a bet, we know he has his shortcomings, he has yet to fully get a grip on his role, but the sooner we play him the better."
Weight of No 10
France have dithered for years over their fly-half - is Jules Plisson the man to finally make it his own?
"France No 10 is probably the toughest position out there," said Dean Ryan.
"France do not play with the same structure as say England or Wales. You end up with a pivotal position like No 10 taking the brunt of the blame because the rest of the team is not functioning. When they bring in a No 10 who is over- structured then there is criticism for not using the flair sitting out on the wings.
"I like bits of Plisson - he is exciting and he goes to the line, but he is erratic."
A lot rests on Italy fly-half Carlo Canna who was called into their World Cup squad after Kelly Haimona broke an arm. Canna has not looked back and put in some solid, workmanlike performances during the tournament, but will really need to step up against France. Italy have battled with their kicking game ever since fly-half Diego Dominguez retired in 2003 and, with Hamona on the bench, Canna has the chance to nail down the No 10 position.
Battle at No 8
Italy's inspirational captain Sergio Parisse is head and shoulders their best player and once again will give his all in a losing cause.
Everything that Italy do well revolves around Parisse and his battle with Louis Picamoles will be just one of the roles he will need to play on Saturday.
Picamoles is a huge ball carrier for France and will be looking to get France onto the front foot with some of his trademark carries. Parisse also likes to carry but has a wonderful skill-set that sees him play an important linking role as well.
Italy's chances of causing a massive upset will rely a lot on what Parisse can do and his first job will be to win the battle against Picamoles. Sit back and enjoy two of the best No 8's in world rugby go hammer and tongs at each other.
Concerns for Italy
Brunel has also named four uncapped players in an Italy team depleted by injuries - and added 10 new players to his Six Nations squad.
The Azzurri are too reliant on a few players like Sergio Parisse, Martin Castrogiovanni, Alessandro Zanni and Francesco Minto.
They do have some exciting young talent like scrum-half Edoardo Gori, while debutants David Odiete and Mattia Bellini may bring some much-needed attacking flair to the team. Brunel has tried his best to bring through some new players but this has all the markings of another Wooden Spoon for Italy.
"It is up to us as experienced and senior players to guide them and help them reach the level quickly," said Parisse.
"It is important to bring new talent through all the time. We've had a few injuries and so there have been some new faces, but Jacques has been keen to move things along anyway."
France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Hugo Bonneval, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Sebastien Bezy; 1 Eddy Ben Arous, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Paul Jedrasiak, 5 Yoann Maestri, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 7 Damien Chouly, 8 Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Jefferson Poirot, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Yacouba Camara, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Maxime Mermoz.
Italy: 15 David Odiete, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Andrea Lovotti, 2 Ornel Gega, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 5 Marco Fuser, 6 Francesco Minto; 7 Alessandro Zanni, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Valerio Bernabo, 20 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Kelly Haimona, 23 Luke McLean.