Italy's Six Nations Prospects and Recent Performances
Italy secured an 18-15 victory over Scotland this tournament, marking their first opening weekend win since 2013.
Head coach Gonzalo Quesada stated that Italy is not yet prepared to contend for the overall Six Nations title ahead of their upcoming match against France in Lille on Sunday.
Italy started their Six Nations campaign with a narrow 18-15 win against Scotland, followed by a close 20-13 loss to Ireland. This week, France head coach Fabien Galthie expressed confidence in Italy's capability to win the tournament.
Historically, Italy's best Six Nations results are fourth-place finishes in 2007 and 2013. They have never won more than two matches in a single Six Nations tournament.
Since joining the Six Nations in 2000, Italy has finished last 18 times and failed to record a win in 12 editions. However, in their last 12 Six Nations matches, Italy has won four and drawn one, and they also defeated Australia in November.
"The reality is that Italy are concerned primarily with our performance, with everything we can improve, the words 'compete', 'consistency'," Quesada said.
"As for the championship, we leave that for France, England, Ireland, Scotland.
"But, it's a great compliment. This year, we've had the good fortune that two of the best coaches in the world, if not the best two, Rassie Erasmus and Fabien Galthie, have said nice things about us."
In November, Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of world champions South Africa, suggested that Italy could finish second or third in the Six Nations.
Two years ago, Italy faced France in Lille in a match that ended in a 13-13 draw, with fly-half Paolo Garbisi missing a penalty that could have won the Test. However, France defeated Italy decisively in Rome last year with a 73-24 scoreline.
Team News - France Change Second Row
Grand Slam contenders France have made changes to their second-row partnership for the match against Italy.
Toulouse locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou will start, replacing Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard. These are the only changes to France's XV from their 54-12 victory over Wales.
Flament and Meafou previously appeared off the bench at the Principality Stadium, while Ollivon and Guillard are named as replacements for Sunday's fixture, which kicks off at 15:10 GMT.
Flament missed France's opening win against Ireland due to a scheduling conflict with his wife's fertility treatment.
Fabien Brau-Boirie, 20, who made his France debut last week, is expected to retain his place in the centres.
Meanwhile, France-born Ange Capuozzo is set to return for Italy at full-back after missing the first two matches of this year's tournament due to a fractured finger.
Capuozzo will be the only change for Gonzalo Quesada's side, who opened the tournament with a win over Scotland and a loss to Ireland.
Squads for France vs Italy
France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Colombe, Ollivon, Guillard, Nouchi, Serin, Barassi.
Italy: Capuozzo; Lynagh, Menoncello, Marin; Ioane; P Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, N Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro (capt), Zuliani, L Cannone.
Replacements: Dimcheff, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, Garbisi, Odogwu.
Match Officials
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
Television Match Official: Ian Tempest (England)
Foul Play Review Officer: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)
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