Filed under: Rugby Union, Six Nations, Internationals, France Rugby
SIX NATIONS: STADIO FLAMINIO, SATURDAY MARCH 12, 2011. KICK-OFF: 1430 GMTItaly have never beaten France and only their most optimistic supporter would suggest that will change in this encounter.
France's hopes of winning the Grand Slam were ended by England almost a fortnight ago, but they are hoping that England can still trip up against either Scotland or Ireland and restore their hopes of winning the championship.
If England do falter then France will still have to close a 53-point gap in their points difference - and this encounter against Italy could give them a chance to do that.
Nick Mallett's side have faltered and stuttered this year and, while Italian rugby has always been a step behind the rest of Europe, the lack of progress over the last 18 months has been very worrying indeed.
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Mallett does not seem to know his best starting XV and is again ringing the changes for this match, leaving out seven players from the side that lost to Wales.
Mallett said: "It's a choice made to give certain players a rest and also to freshen up the team and stimulate other players who up until now have had little space in the starting line-up.
"There are no first choice and second choice players, we have 30 to 34 players of a top level. Apart from one or two like Sergio Parisse who is indispensible, we have some good players but the others are of the same level.
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