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Italy return to action in Round 3 of the Guinness Men’s Six Nations with a trip to take on France in Lille. It is a place the Azzurri have good memories of after they took their first points away to Les Bleus after a 13-13 draw two years ago.
In Round 2 they took their first point away to Ireland, with a bonus point after their 20-13 defeat. It means they sit level with England on five points following their Round 1 victory over Scotland in Rome.
Gonzalo Quesada’s side are up against a France side that have already secured all 10 points of offer after dominant wins over Ireland and Wales.
Here’s what ATR thinks they need to do to avoid being the third…
Start Like Never Before
France have shown against Ireland and Wales that a strong start is part of their gameplan. Against Ireland, they were 22-0 ahead at halftime, then against Wales it only took 15 minutes to wrack up a 19-0 lead.
Italy have begun well in their matches. They ran in two tries against Scotland and held Ireland off for 15 minutes, and the rest of the first half.
It will be another step up away to France. When they drew in 2024, that France team was still licking their wounds after falling at the quarterfinals of their World Cup. Morale was low, Antoine Dupont was off playing sevens, and the side lacked direction.
Now, they are raging with confidence, playing spectacular rugby, and focused on a Grand Slam. Italy will need energy levels through the roof, and to take their defence to new levels. Do that and they will have the chance of taking something from the match.
Nail The Basics
Italy’s pack is approaching something like the monster forwards of the past, and not since 2013 have we seen an Azzurri eight with as much grizzle and grunt as the current bunch.
Tighthead Simone Ferrari has been at the heart of their efforts, while Danilo Fischetti is showing the world why Northampton Saints love him. Then there’s Mirco Spagnolo on the bench, anyone who can pop Tadhg Furlong out of a scrum deserves serious respect.
They will need to be even better against a France team that were faultless at the scrum and lineout. Italy won all their scrums but let two lineouts slip by. They will also need Manuel Zuliani at his pilfering best. He won five of Italy’s eight and if he matches that against Les Bleus, Italy will not be short of ball to play with.
Be Aware Of Everything
Italy may have been disappointed not to have won in Dublin, but crucially they did enough to take a bonus point with them, something they’ve not done enough of since they were introduced to the Championship. They’ve collected one per season since 2023.
France won’t let Quesada’s men relax for a moment, so when the chance to get up to their line or takes points come they will need to capitalise every time. Perfection is being chased on Sunday.
They will need to keep their eyes and ears on everything. Remember the finish two years ago? The ball wobbling off Paolo Garbisi’s tee, the French staff member running on, the charge down of the retake? It should have been another retake because you can’t charge penalty kicks. This year, no matter where they are on the pitch Italy captain Michele Lamaro needs to know where the referee is and ensure he is well aware to tell them what they may have missed. Failing to do so could cost his team points.
Uncaging Capuozzo
Quesada has made one change to his team from Dublin. Ange Capuozzo takes over from Lorenzo Pani at fullback, and he will come up against 12 of his Toulouse teammates.
It shows he has great faith in his pack in particular, and like Napoleon wanted from his generals, he has been lucky that none of them have picked up any injuries in Rounds 1 and 2. It shows his confidence in them to match their well-renowned French opponents.
Capuozzo’s inclusion is also a strong statement from the Argentine. Pani can be aggrieved that he was left out, but Capuozzo offers something that no-one else in the Azzurri does. His speed, quick feet, and eye for a gap are attacking weapons that will try to unleash, and by putting him at fullback his lack of size is harder to exploit, either in the air, or in contact.
