Teenage lock Tuilagi gets first start for Les Bleus

TEENAGE lock Posolo Tuilagi will make his first France start when Les Blues host Italy in Lille in today’s Six Nations clash.

Tualigi (pictured), 19, is one of two changes, replacing Paul Gabrillagues who drops out of the matchday squad.

Paul Boudehent comes in for the injured Gregory Alldritt with Charles Ollivon made captain in the forward’s absence.

Italy make six changes with Ross Vintcent and Riccardo Favretto set for their first Azzurri starts.

Elsewhere, Giosue Zilocchi and Giacomo Nicotera come in at the front of the pack, Martin PageRelo is preferred at scrum-half and Federico Mori starts at centre.

Zebre lock Matteo Canali could become Italy’s latest debutant for the bench, while uncapped Toulon flanker Esteban Abadie is among the France replacements.

France lost to defending champions Ireland in their opening match but bounced back with a controversial win over Scotland last time out.

Italy narrowly lost to England in their opener, but were thumped 36-0 by Ireland in Dublin in round two.

The French have won their past 14 matches against Italy and the Azzuri last beat Les Blues in Rome in 2013 and have not won in France since 1997.

Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada said: “We want to show the best version of ourselves.

“We have heart, character and determination.

“All these characteristics must be put on the field against a team that is tactically and physically strong.”

Today’s fixture takes place in the northern city of Lille, with France’s usual home, the Stade de France in Paris, undergoing renovations before this summer’s Olympics. FRANCE: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Tuilagi, Boudehent, Ollivon (capt), Cros. REPLACEMENTS: Marchand, Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Roumat, Abadie, Le Garrec, Moefana.

ITALY: Capuozzo; Menoncello, Brex, Mori, Ioane, Garbisi, PageRelo; Fischetti, Nicotera, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza, Favretto, Lamaro (capt), Vintcent.

REPLACEMENTS: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Ferrari, Canali, Zambonin, Zuliani, Varney, Marin.