The final action in Round 3 of the Six Nations comes from Rome on Sunday where Italy take on France
Italy v France, Sunday 23rd February, Rome, KO 17:00 (South African time)
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Craig Evans (WRU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
Weather Forecast: Rome
Italy
Italy put themselves on the board with a 22-15 home win over Wales in Round 2. Capuozzo scored their only try of the game, converted by Allan who also landed with 5 penalties. They led 16-3 at half time but Wales did salvage a losing bonus point with 2 late tries as Italy finished the game down to 13 men.
Italy were given around 17.5 points start on the bookmakers main handicap line for their Round 1 clash with Scotland at Murrayfield and the cap was reasonably accurate as Scotland came out on top 31-19. Ignacio Brex scored their only try as Italy fought back from a 10 point half time deficit to level the scores at 19-19 before Scotland pulled away again.
Italy are fifth on the log with 4 points, 3 more than Wales and they now renew rivalry with France whom they drew with 13-13 in Lille in this competition last season.
In the outright betting markets with WSB Italy are currently 5/1 to finish bottom of the standings with Wales trading at 0.12/1 for the wooden spoon.
Fixtures & Results: R1 Scotland (a) lost 31-19, R2 Wales (h) won 22-15, R3 France (h), R4 England (a), R5 Ireland (h)
France
Les Bleus went into their Round 2 clash with England at Twickenham as outright favourites to win the tournament and 6.5 point favourites on the main handicap line to make it 2 wins from 2. However it was England who edged the contest26-25 thanks to a late converted try. France had their chances and the second of 2 tries for Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the 76th minute looked to have sealed victory before Elliot Daly went over just before full time.
France thrashed Wales 43-0 in Paris in the opening round, easily covering the pre-match main handicap line of around 27.5 points. They scored 7 tries in total including a brace for Attissogbe and Bielle-Biarrey.
France finished Round 2 in second position with 6 points, 4 behind Ireland who will they will take on in Dublin in Round 4. In the outright betting markets with WSB heading into Round 3 France are currently 7/2 (from 21/20) to win the title with Ireland the new favourites at 9/20
Fixtures & Results: R1 Wales (h) won 43-0, R2 England (a) lost 26-25, R3 Italy (a), R4 Ireland (a), R5 Scotland (h)
Team News
Italy: tbc
France: tbc
Head to Head (6 Nations Only)
2024 6N Lille France 13-13 Italy
2023 6N Rome Italy 24-29 France
2022 6N Paris France 37–10 Italy
2021 6N Rome Italy 10-50 France
2020 6N Paris France 35–22 Italy
2019 6N Rome Italy 14-25 France
The Betting
Average early show, to be updated
Italy +18.5 points at 9/10
France -18.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
to follow
Bet: to follow
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
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