Italy vs France Predictions & Tips - Italy set for competitive Six Nations clash

By Ralph Staniforth

03 Feb 2023

Ralph Staniforth 03 Feb 2023

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Watch Italy vs France on Sunday, 5 February in the Six Nations (15:00 GMT)
France have won their last 13 games
Can Italy be competitive at home?

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Italy to get close at home (Getty Images)

Italy vs France Predictions

France are clear favourites, and rightly so, but Italy are a more confident team in 2023. Should France get a fast start it could be a big score but Italy have the ability to stay in the game for periods.

Italy vs France Predictions
Head to Head
Italy Form
Italy Injuries & Team News
France Form
France Injuries & Team News

I can see France winning with without too much fuss but the 21 point handicap looks steep considering it’s the opening game for these sides. France may have some cobwebs to get rid of so Italy should get within 21 points.

Italy have lost 36 of their last 37 Six Nations matches.
France have won their last 13 matches against Italy.
France have won their last 13 matches.

Head to Head

France have won 43 of their 46 matches against Italy. They last lost to Italy in 2013 and have since won 13 consecutive games against the Italians. Last year France beat Italy 37-10 at home.

Italy Form

Italy finished the 2022 Six Nations with the wooden spoon yet again but they have looked a far better side since then. In November they won two of their three fixtures at home.

Victory over Samoa was expected but the Italians followed it up with a 28-27 win over Australia. That was a huge scalp for the Italian side that has struggled over the years to compete.

The year ended in disappointing fashion as South Africa hammered Italy 63-21. That can however be put down to the team still recovering from beating Australia.

Italy’s win over Wales at the end of the 2022 Six Nations ended their 36-match losing run in the competition.

Italy Injuries & Team News

Italy are full of confidence after their wins over Australia and Wales last year. They will be competitive, but keeping up for 80 minutes will be a challenge.

France Form

France are the defending champions of the Six Nations after going unbeaten last year. This year Ireland are favourites but only by a tiny margin.

The main reason for that is that France have to play away in Ireland this season. That game is what many expect to be the title decider but there are just too many quality sides that can cause upsets.

Starting against Italy away is a decent opportunity but France will need to hit their straps fast. They will certainly be targeting a bonus point in this clash.

France Injuries & Team News

France have a very settled lineup but there is concern that they have peaked a year early. Still, on paper, they have a team capable of winning it all this year.

Verdict

Italy v France

Italy are tipped to get within 21 points of France in Rome.

Italy +21

Handicap

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