Italy host France as Six Nations third-round weekend draws to an exciting close in Rome today. Les Bleus make the trip to the Stadio Olimpico desperate to bounce back quickly from their shock last-gasp defeat by England at Twickenham a fortnight ago that scuppered their latest Grand Slam hopes and made Ireland strong favourites to win a historic and unprecedented third successive title.
![[Monty Ioane in action for Italy against Wales in the Six Nations]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/02/23/12/56/montyioane23022025a-jpg.jpeg?trim=304,0,121,0&quality=75&auto=webp&width=640)
With a massive clash in Dublin coming up next and the defending champions having survived a surprise scare of their own against resurgent Wales yesterday, there is simply no more margin for error for Fabien Galthie’s wounded side, who will be eager to produce a statement victory this afternoon. However, Italy are no pushovers and deservedly beat Wales last time out to hasten the end of Warren Gatland’s dismal second reign having fought back admirably before losing to Scotland at Murrayfield on opening weekend.
![[France players train at the Stadio Olimpico before facing Italy in the Six Nations]](https://static.standard.co.uk/2025/02/23/12/06/italyfrance23022025a-jpg.jpeg?trim=270,0,0,0&quality=75&auto=webp&width=640)
The Azzurri almost pulled off a massive upset in this fixture in Lille 12 months ago, only for Paolo Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty attempt to agonisingly bobble off the tee and then hit the post in a thrilling 13-13 draw. Follow Italy vs France live below!.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made two changes to the team that withstood a late fightback to deservedly beat lowly Wales 22-15 in rainy Rome a fortnight ago. Australian-born wing Monty Ioane is a big miss with a knee injury, with Simone Gesi taking his place.
The other switch is at hooker, where Toulon’s Gianmarco Lucchesi is preferred to Giacomo Nicotera of Stade Francais. Two-cap lock Riccardo Favretto moves onto the bench with Harlequins’ Dino Lamb injured, while props Giosue Zilocchi and Mirco Spagnolo are also among the replacements, the latter after a ban.
Danilo Fischetti and Niccolo Cannone will both earn their 50th Italy caps this afternoon. TV channel: Italy vs France is being shown live and free-to-air today in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm GMT. Live stream: The contest can also be viewed live online via the ITVX website and app, which is free with a subscription.
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Italy vs France in the Six Nations. Les Bleus head to Rome today to close out a thrilling round three, knowing full well that they cannot afford any more slip-ups following their shock last-gasp defeat by England as they prepare to head to Dublin to face historic three-peat and Grand Slam-chasing Ireland next.
But they could have another stern test against an Italy side who deservedly beat Wales a fortnight ago to bring the early end of Warren Gatland’s woeful second reign and produced a battling comeback against Scotland before eventually losing at Murrayfield in round one.
