France confident of starting well despite Covid problems

FRANCE are confident of starting their Six Nations campaign with a win over Italy at the Stade de France today despite significant Covid-related disruption.

Head coach Fabien Galthie will miss the game after testing positive, while captain and World Player of the Year Antoine Dupont has only just returned from isolation.

France have made two changes to the starting XV who beat the All Blacks, both in the pack.

Hooker Peato Mauvaka, who scored five tries in three Tests during the autumn, is replaced by Julien Marchand, while Dylan Cretin is preferred to Francois Cros in the back row.

Galthie said: “There is a trophy to win. We will approach it with more certainty, more confidence. There will be fewer surprises in our squads and how we play.

“Since the beginning, our ambition has been to win matches and competitions we are involved in.

“The first tournament we lost on points difference to England; the second by a small margin to Wales. The objective is always the same. The staff and players are growing, improving their preparation and their methods. Our objective is to build on the latest step.”

Italy are set to hand debuts to number eight Toa Halafihi and winger Tommaso Menoncello in another inexperienced side. Eight of the starting XV have 10 caps or fewer to their name.

Italy coach Kieran Crowley has selected 18 players in the matchday squad from his former club Benetton.

Crowley: “The work we have done in recent weeks in preparation for the Six Nations was intense and high quality.

“There is a lot of energy in the group and an awareness that they are taking to the pitch in one of the most important tournaments in the world of rugby and sport. The focus is on our performance: it will be important to stay calm in the key moments.”