Italy vs France
Italy welcome defending champions France to Rome for these teams opening match of the 2023 Six Nations. The home team will be full of confidence after breaking their seven year win drought last season when they beat Wales at the Principality Stadium. The visitors on the other hand will be keen to build on last season’s success especially with the World Cup being in their country this year. France are among the favourites for both this competition and the global showpiece and rightly so. They are superbly led by Antoine Dupont and if they are allowed a fast start, then the home team could be in for a long day.
TIP: The Italians have always been known for their forward play but sadly lacked much spark in their backline but this all changed last season with the arrival of World Breakthrough Player of the year Ange Capuozzo. He was sensational for the Azzurri and they will once again look to him in attack. The French have plenty of game breakers themselves but it is their power in the pack that makes them hot favourites. The bookies have France as favourites and I’m also tipping them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Playabets 1.06, Gbets 1.07 and Betway 1.05
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Italy vs France
- France have won the last 12 matches against Italy.
- The last time Italy beat France was in 2013.
Latest results for both teams
Italy lost 63-21 to South Africa in their last match while France beat Japan 35-17 in their last match.
PREDICTION
The French are famous for playing running, exciting rugby and they certainly have the players for this kind of approach led by the irrepressible Dupont but the stats show they kick the ball away far more often than other teams. They will need to be accurate with the kicking as the Italians have an excellent back three that are superb on counter attack. The home team should continue their attacking style of play and throw the ball around as this is their best chance of upsetting the French machine. The visitors have the obvious advantage in both the scrums and lineouts therefore I predict a French win by 10 points.
Probable Starting XVs
Italy
15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Pierre Bruno, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Tommaso Menoncello, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo’ Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giamoco Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
France
15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Ethan Dumortier, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Paul Williams, 4 Thibault Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the France victory are as follows:
Playabets 1.06
Gbets 1.07
Betway 1.05
Odds comparison on the Italy handicap:
The complete odds on the Italy handicap:
Playabets 1.89 (+20.5)
Gbets 1.91 (+20.5)
Betway 1.90 (+20.5)
Predictions and Odds in details
There are poor returns on the Italy outright win therefore we suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Playabets 1.89 (+20.5) and Gbets 1.91 (+20.5), Betway 1.90 (+20.5)
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
