The hosts head to Lyon trying to preserve their 100 per cent document at their house event and maintain momentum rolling forward of a blockbuster quarter-final conflict that's more likely to be towards defending champions South Africa.
Fabien Galthie’s aspect simply have to keep away from defeat towards Italy to make sure their last-eight berth as group winners, whereas the Azzurri have to win as they nonetheless cling onto hopes of reaching the knockout part for the primary time of their historical past regardless of a humiliating 96-17 demolition job by rampant New Zealand final week.
Inspirational captain Antoine Dupont is claimed to be hitting his targets in coaching after present process surgical procedure in Toulouse on the facial fracture he suffered in France’s final sport, the 96-0 drubbing of minnows Namibia on September 21, however gained’t play on Friday as he awaits a closing determination on if he can return in any respect at this World Cup.
France vs Italy takes place on Friday October 6, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST and 9pm native time.
The match shall be held on the OL Stadium in Lyon.
TV channel: In the UK, the sport shall be broadcast reside and without cost on ITV1, with protection beginning at 7:30pm.
Live stream: You also can tune into the match without cost on-line by way of the ITV web site or ITVX app.
Live weblog: Follow all of the motion on Friday with Standard Sport’s reside match weblog.
With no Dupont, Galthie should select between back-up scrum-halves Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Couilloud to take the beginning No9 shirt on Friday.
France made 12 adjustments from their battling win over Uruguay to face Namibia, naming 10 of the identical XV that performed within the thrilling win over the All Blacks on opening evening.
They will certainly be at full energy right here to make sure high spot in Pool A and maintain their momentum and confidence flying excessive forward of a possible quarter-final showdown with the Springboks in Paris on October 15.
Italy coach Kieran Crowley, who shall be stepping down from his position after the World Cup, made three adjustments from the workforce that beat Uruguay for the embarrassment towards the All Blacks, with Dino Lamb, Stephen Varney and Luca Morisi all drafted in.
However, lock Lamb suffered a leg damage, whereas prop Danilo Fischetti sustained a rib concern and has now been changed within the squad by Paolo Buonfiglio.
Hooker Giacomo Nicotera can be going by means of return-to-play protocols after struggling a bang to the pinnacle towards New Zealand.
France XV: TBC
Replacements: TBC
Italy XV: TBC
Replacements: TBC
The referee for Friday’s sport shall be England’s Karl Dickson, supported by assistants Luke Pearce and Craig Evans plus TMO Marius Jonker.
Italy’s bonus-point wins over Namibia and Uruguay imply they go into this closing Pool A conflict nonetheless capable of attain the quarter-finals for the primary time regardless of that mauling by the All Blacks in Lyon through which they shipped no fewer than 14 whole tries.
But that efficiency towards New Zealand was such an abject humiliation that it's exhausting to see the Azzurri rousing themselves for a correct crack at an unlikely upset right here.
France shall be lacking Dupont and are nonetheless dealing with a nervous wait to find if he shall be again for the quarter-finals, however they nonetheless have greater than sufficient high quality to safe one other good-looking win to cement high spot in Pool A with South Africa looming massive.
France to win with a bonus level.
These two are clearly acquainted opponents and conflict yearly within the Six Nations.
France have gained all the final 13 conferences between the nations, together with a 29-24 success in Rome again in February, when the defending Grand Slam champions had been pushed exhausting on the Stadio Olimpico.
Italy haven't overwhelmed Les Bleus since a 23-18 house success on the 2013 Six Nations. That was their second house win over France in a row, having additionally edged them out by one level in Rome in 2011.
Italy’s solely different win over France up to now got here all the way in which again in 1997.
France wins: 44
Italy wins: 3
Draws: 0
France to win: 1/80
Italy to win: 20/1
Draw: 50/1
Odds by way of Betfair (topic to vary).
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