Kick-off: 1500, 05/02/2023
Stadium: Stadio Olimpico
TV: ITV
France secured a first Six Nations title since 2010 last year and begin the defence of that crown by visiting Italy in Rome.
The Azzurri have picked up the wooden spoon for seven straight renewals, although they did finish off with a shock win in Wales last time.
With the home fans sure to be fired up for the first round of fixtures, let’s take 4/5 for the underdogs with 21.5 points start as our opening Italy vs France prediction.
Italy Odds
Italy were competitive for a while when starting out against Les Bleus in Paris 12 months ago.
The Azzurri even took the lead thanks to a try from teenager Tommaso Menoncello and only trailed 18-10 at the break, before ultimately going down 37-10.
They were then hammered by England and Ireland but salvaged some pride in the closing couple of matches.
After showing encouraging signs when losing 33-22 at home to Scotland, Kieran Crowley’s side pulled off a huge upset by beating Wales 22-21 in Cardiff.
The rest of 2022 brought mixed results, with a 28-19 loss to Georgia the low point but a 49-17 thrashing of Samoa and a 28-27 triumph over Australia two autumn highlights.
Pundits have pointed out the success of Italy’s junior teams in recent years and those players are starting to make an impression in the senior ranks.
Full-back Ange Capuozzo shot to fame when he made the dazzling run that led to Italy’s match-winning try against Wales and scored twice off the bench against Scotland.
In a sport populated by giants, the 23-year-old Toulouse flyer has the instincts, footwork, dummy and speed to shred defences and become a box office talent.
Games between these teams are usually entertaining and the weather forecast for Rome is perfect, so 4/5 for over 24.5 first-half points appeals from the Italy vs France odds.
France Odds
France should be full of confidence after claiming grand slam glory last term and winning all 10 Test matches in 2022.
Les Bleus were at their best when playing free-flowing rugby, as when beating Australia 30-29 and South Africa 30-26 in the autumn.
A reflection of their recent progress is Gregory Alldritt, who has few chinks in his armour and could claim to be the best number eight in the game right now.
The 25-year-old La Rochelle back row links beautifully with star scrum-half Antoine Dupont and can punish opponents with his power in the carry, smart offloads and acceleration.
He is also a menace at the breakdown where he regularly plunders turnovers – one of the dark arts France had previously struggled to master.
Head coach Fabien Galthie isn’t afraid to instruct his players to throw the ball about in all areas of the pitch.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack epitomises the attacking mindset of this rejuvenated national team.
Such a positive approach can lead to Les Bleus being open in defence, though, and Italy are fancied to have their moments in an end-to-end encounter.
Let’s add 12/5 for the hosts to open the scoring with a penalty kick to our Italy vs France betting tips.
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