Home > Six Nations 2026 > France > France v Italy

France v Italy

Date:

Venue: Decathlon Arena, Lille

Kick-off: 3:10pm (GMT)

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

TV Coverage: Live on ITV (UK) and RTE (ROI)

France will face Italy at the Decathlon Arena (Stade Pierre-Mauroy) in Lille on Sunday 22nd February during the third round of the 2026 Six Nations Championship. The winner of this match will be presented with the Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy.

France scored 11 tries as they thrashed Italy 73-24 in Rome during the 2025 Championship.

France and Italy have contested 50 rugby test matches since their first meeting in 1937. France have won 46 of those encounters, whilst Italy have only managed three wins. There has also been one drawn match between the two nations.

France v Italy - Six Nations Tickets

Tickets for the France v Italy Six Nations match went on general sale on Tuesday 21st October, priced from €30 (Cat 5) to €135 (Cat 1). Check the France Rugby ticketing website for further information.

Billetterie FFR Official Ticket Agency Buy Tickets
Booking.com Book a Hotel near the Decathlon Arena, Lille Book Hotel

France v Italy - Recent Six Nations History

Antoine Dupont runs clear to score a try for France against Italy in 2025 Six Nations

France score 11 tries in scintillating demolition of Italy

23rd February 2025

Italy felt the full force of a French backlash as Antoine Dupont orchestrated a 73-24 Six Nations victory in Rome.

Italy players celebrate try against France in 2024 Six Nations

Italy miss late kick to beat France and have to settle for a draw in Lille

25th February 2024

Italy were within the width of a post of the biggest upset in Six Nations history as they drew 13-13 against 14-man France in Lille.

Antoine Dupont in action for France against Italy in 2023 Six Nations

Ethan Dumortier scores try on debut as Six Nations holders France beat Italy

5th February 2023

Ethan Dumortier scored a try on his France debut as the Les Bleus kick-started their Six Nations title defence with a 29-24 bonus-point victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico.

Gabin Villiere hat-trick helps slow-starting France ease to victory over Italy

6th February 2022

Gabin Villiere’s hat-trick helped France overcame a slow start to move to the top of the early Six Nations standings with a 37-10 victory over Italy in Paris.

France score seven tries as they kick off Six Nations with thumping win in Italy

6th February 2021

France scored seven tries to start their Six Nations campaign with a comprehensive 50-10 victory over Italy in Rome.

France v Italy - Team Line-ups

France Team Line-up

Forwards

  • 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
  • 2 Julien Marchand
  • 3 Dorian Aldegheri
  • 4 Thibaud Flament
  • 5 Emmanuel Meafou
  • 6 François Cros
  • 7 Oscar Jegou
  • 8 Anthony Jelonch

Backs

  • 9 Antoine Dupont (Captain)
  • 10 Matthieu Jalibert
  • 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
  • 12 Fabien Brau-Boirie
  • 13 Émilien Gailleton
  • 14 Théo Attissogbe
  • 15 Thomas Ramos

Replacements

  • 16 Peato Mauvaka
  • 17 Rodrigue Neti
  • 18 Georges-Henri Colombe
  • 19 Charles Ollivon
  • 20 Mickaël Guillard
  • 21 Lenni Nouchi
  • 22 Baptiste Serin
  • 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi

Italy Team Line-up

Forwards

  • 1 Danilo Fischetti
  • 2 Giacomo Nicotera
  • 3 Simone Ferrari
  • 4 Niccolò Cannone
  • 5 Andrea Zambonin
  • 6 Michele Lamaro (Captain)
  • 7 Manuel Zuliani
  • 8 Lorenzo Cannone

Backs

  • 9 Alessandro Fusco
  • 10 Paolo Garbisi
  • 11 Monty Ioane
  • 12 Leonardo Marin
  • 13 Tommaso Menoncello
  • 14 Louis Lynagh
  • 15 Ange Capuozzo

Replacements

  • 16 Pablo Dimcheff
  • 17 Mirco Spagnolo
  • 18 Giosuè Zilocchi
  • 19 Federico Ruzza
  • 20 Riccardo Favretto
  • 21 David Odiase
  • 22 Alessandro Garbisi
  • 23 Paolo Odogwu

Venue Information - Decathlon Arena, Lille

Decathlon Arena, 261 Bd de Tournai, 59650 Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France

Stadium Enquiries: +33 3 20 59 40 00

Stadium Capacity: 50,186

Subscribe for news and updates
France Flag Italy Flag