France host Italy in spherical three of the Six Nations this afternoon hoping to construct on their spectacular, albeit controversial, win over Scotland and full back-to-back victories on this marketing campaign.
Les Bleus opened the competitors in Marseille the place they had been hammered 38-17 by Ireland and journey to Lille this afternoon as renovation work continues on the Stade de France forward of this summer time’s Olympic Games. France bounced again for a 20-16 success in opposition to Scotland at Murrayfield although the hosts had been controversially denied a last-gasp profitable strive.
In distinction, Italy, who’re being led by new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, began the Six Nations nicely with a testing and aggressive 24-27 loss to England in Rome. Much like France, their confidence took successful after they got here up in opposition to the Irish who romped to a 36-0 victory in Dublin final trip.
The Azzurri can be hoping to bounce again from that loss and file a third-ever Six Nations victory over France when the 2 sides conflict this afternoon.
Follow all of the Six Nations motion beneath plus get the latest odds and ideas proper right here:
France backing Posolo Tuilagi to deliver vitality in opposition to Italy
France assistant coach Laurent Sempere has praised Posolo Tuilagi for his vitality because the lock prepares to make his first begin for Les Bleus in opposition to Italy within the Six Nations.
The 19-year-old has been named within the beginning XV for the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy conflict at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille.
After shedding their opening sport to Ireland, France bounced again with a dramatic victory in opposition to Scotland at Murrayfield, leaving them fourth within the desk forward of the third spherical of matches.
Tuilagi has featured from the bench in each video games up to now and co-coach Sempere was filled with reward for {the teenager}.
He instructed the French Rugby Federation web site: “Posolo is one of the players who brought a lot of energy at the end of the match in Scotland, which he had already done when he came on against Ireland.
“Today we decided that he should start the game against Italy. It was his performances during training with us, and at each of his appearances, that ensured that he won this starter jersey.”
Luke Baker25 February 2024 12:05
Steve Borthwick describes England’s defeat to Scotland as ‘real painful lesson’
Frustrated Steve Borthwick felt his work-in-progress England workforce had been taught “a real painful lesson” by a Duhan Van Der Merwe-inspired Scotland after the Red Rose crashed to a fourth consecutive Calcutta Cup defeat at Murrayfield.
The guests arrived in Edinburgh hoping to make it three Six Nations victories in a row and they made a shiny begin through which a George Furbank strive helped them carve a 10-0 lead within the opening quarter of an hour. However, they misplaced their means and had been put to the sword by their scientific hosts who ran out 30-21 winners.
Van Der Merwe – who scored a double within the Scots’ win at Twickenham final yr – was once more England’s tormentor-in-chief as he grew to become the primary man in a darkish blue jersey to score a Calcutta Cup hat-trick.
“After a defeat and performance when you don’t think you’ve maximised your potential, it’s always disappointment,” mentioned head coach Borthwick. “I don’t think the team maximised their potential today.
“When you make that number of handling errors at this level, it’s very difficult to win, especially against a team of Scotland’s quality. Ultimately we made it too easy for Scotland to score, but they were very clinical. It’s a huge lesson for our team as we develop. The number of turnovers made it very difficult to win.”
Luke Baker25 February 2024 11:25
Duhan van der Merwe and Scotland make Calcutta Cup historical past to depart England with powerful questions
The jet-heeled wing – who scored a shocking double at Twickenham simply over 12 months in the past – had the house crowd in raptures as he produced a Murrayfield masterclass to encourage his workforce to a 30-21 victory and transfer to inside one in every of Scotland’s all-time file try-scorer Stuart Hogg.
England began brightly and opened up an early 10-0 lead, with George Furbank scoring his first worldwide strive, however Steve Borthwick’s males supplied little thereafter as their unbeaten begin to the championship shuddered to a halt.
Remarkably, they’ve now gained solely one of many final seven conferences with Scotland.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 11:05
Who is Posolo Tuilagi? Manu’s large nephew set to make first France begin in Six Nations
Now it’s time to meet the following technology. Having made a few appearances off the bench on this Six Nations, Posolo Tuilagi will make his first France begin in opposition to Italy in Lille, the hulking lock thought-about a rising star. Still a teen, Posolo stays eligible for France’s Under 20s, however has already featured prominently in two Top 14 seasons for Perpignan, the membership at which father Henry ended his skilled enjoying profession.
Born in Samoa, Posolo has been in France since he was three and made his skilled debut for Les Sang et Or in September 2022. Weighing almost 150kg, his stature made him a right away stand-out, however Tuilagi combines his pure measurement benefit with the talent that has powered him into the worldwide image so quickly.
Learn extra about France’s latest star:
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:45
Six Nations 2024 pundits and commentators for ITV and BBC
The Six Nations is ready to return to tv screens, with the BBC and ITV once more sharing protection of the annual championship.
The two terrestrial broadcasters’ mixed deal runs till the top of the 2025 version.
Quite a lot of acquainted faces will present professional perception and evaluation throughout the Six Nations marketing campaign, together with some key new additions.
Here is who you’ll be able to anticipate to see and hear all through the Six Nations.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:25
Six Nations 2024 schedule in full: Fixtures, kick-off instances and outcomes
France vs Italy (Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille) – Sunday 25 February, 3pm GMT
Italy vs Scotland (Stadio Olimpico, Rome) – Saturday 9 March, 2.15pm GMT
England vs Ireland (Twickenham, London) – Saturday 9 March, 4.45pm GMT
Wales vs France (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) – Sunday 10 March, 3pm GMT
Wales vs Italy (Principality Stadium, Cardiff) – Saturday 16 March, 2.15pm GMT
Ireland vs Scotland (Aviva Stadium, Dublin) – Saturday 16 March, 4.45pm GMT
France vs England (Groupama Stadium, Lyon) – Saturday 16 March, 8pm GMT
Luke Baker25 February 2024 10:05
Powerhouse Posolo Tuilagi earns first France begin as Ross Vintcent will get Italy Six Nations name
Tuilagi, who weighs almost 150 kg and is the nephew of England star Manu Tuilagi, got here off the bench in France’s opening two matches of this yr’s championship, however now companions Cameron Woki within the second-row from the kick-off at Villeneuve-d’Ascq.
Meanwhile, Ross Vintcent will make a primary begin for Italy, as head coach Gonzalo Quesada named a much-changed workforce from the spherical two defeat to Ireland.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:45
France v Italy referee: Who is Six Nations official Christophe Ridley?
Christophe Ridley will make his Six Nations debut after being appointed to referee the spherical three conflict between France and Italy.
The gifted younger Englishman joins the officiating panel as a lead official after the retirement of Wayne Barnes, having labored intently together with his compatriot throughout his profession up to now.
A former member of the academy at Leicester Tigers, Ridley switched to refereeing after a sequence of accidents and has developed rapidly via the ranks after finding out on the University of Gloucestershire.
Here’s the whole lot you could find out about at this time’s referee:
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:25
Italy workforce information
Gonzalo Quesada shuffles his pack after a bruising journey to Dublin that noticed Italy fail to register. Federico Mori begins at inside centre with Tommaso Menoncello shifted out to the wing, whereas Martin Page-Relo replaces Stephen Varney at scrum half.
Riccardo Favretto will win his second worldwide cap three years on from his first in a new-look again row, with the uncapped Matteo Canali amongst Italy’s personal six-strong bench ahead unit.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Giosue Zilocchi; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Riccardo Favretto, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Martin Page-Relo, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Federico Mori, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Tommaso Menoncello; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Andrea Zambonin, 21 Manuel Zuliani; 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:10
France workforce information
Fabien Galthie arms teenage lock Posolo Tuilagi his first begin within the French pack, with Paul Boudehent introduced into the again row after harm to Gregory Alldritt.
Charles Ollivon captains in Alldritt’s absence with Francois Cros sliding throughout to No 8, whereas potential debutant Esteban Abadie is one in every of six forwards on the bench. The spectacular Louis Bielle-Biarrey was set to begin on the left wing as soon as extra however Toulouse star Matthis Lebel was a late call-up to exchange him on Saturday.
France XV: 1 Cyrill Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Posolo Tuilagi; 6 Paul Boudehent, 7 Charles Ollivon (capt.), 8 Francois Cros; 9 Maxime Lucu, 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Matthis Lebel, 12 Jonathan Danty, 13 Gael Fickou, 14 Damian Penaud; 15 Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Esteban Abadie; 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana.
Luke Baker25 February 2024 09:00
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