France drop Penaud and Jalibert for Italy match

Guinness Men's Six Nations: Italy v France

Venue: Stadio Olimpico Date: Sunday, 23 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMT

Coverage: Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch live on ITV1; watch highlights on BBC Two from 1800 GMT.

The 50th Test clash between these two nations holds extra significance as France seek to bounce back immediately from their 26-25 defeat by England a fortnight ago.

Fabien Galthie's side squandered numerous try-scoring chances during an error-strewn performance at Twickenham and failed to adapt to the tricky conditions as their Grand Slam hopes were washed away in the west London rain.

With a crunch trip to Dublin looming large in round four, the pressure on France is amplified as they head to Rome to take on an in-form Italy, who are attempting to win three successive Six Nations home games for the first time.

The Azzurri outplayed a beleaguered Wales two weeks ago in Rome and despite head coach Gonzalo Quesada seeking to embrace his side's underdog status for this match, they have a genuine chance of beating their illustrious European neighbours for just a third time in this championship.

Italy have made just two changes to the side that defeated Wales, with Simone Gesi coming in on the wing for the injured Monty Ioane and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi replacing Giacomo Nicotera, who drops to the bench.

Gesi will make his third appearance for Italy and second start, having missed the 22-15 win over Wales with a knock after coming off the bench in the loss to Scotland in round one.

Italy: 15-Allan; 14-Capuozzo, 13-Brex, 12-Menoncello, 11-Gesi; 10 P. Garbisi, 9-Page-Relo; 1-Fischetti, 2-Lucchesi, 3-Ferrari; 4-N Cannone, 5-Ruzza; 6-Negri, 7-Lamaro (capt), 8-L Cannone.

Replacements: 16-Nicotera, 17-Spagnolo, 18-Zilocchi, 19-Favretto, 20-Zuliani, 21-Vintcent, 22-A Garbisi, 23-Trulla.

Galthie has made sweeping changes to his 23-man squad following his side's 26-25 defeat by England last time out.

Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and wing Damian Penaud have been dropped with Thomas Ramos moving to number 10 and Leo Barre and Theo Attissogbe coming into the back three alongside Louis Bielle-Biarrey, the tournament's top try-scorer with four.

With Emmanuel Meafou unavailable because of an illness, Thibaud Flament makes his first appearance of the tournament alongside Mickael Guillard in the second row.

Galthie has opted for a 7-1 split on the bench, with scrum-half Maxime Lucu the only recognised back among the replacements.

France: 15-Barre; 14-Attissogbe, 13-Barassi, 12-Moefana, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Ramos; 9-Dupont (capt); 1-Gros, 2-Mauvaka, 3-Atonio; 4-Flament, 5-Guillard; 6- Cros, 7-Boudehent, 8-Alldritt.

Replacements: 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Aldegheri, 19-Taofifenua, 20-Roumat, 21-Jegou, 22-Jelonch, 23-Lucu.

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada: "We have a bit more faith in what we want to do. We know how we want to manage games, what our in-game philosophy is and how we're going to play.

"I hope we'll see this on the pitch against a team that is better than us, that we know is better than us."

France head coach Fabien Galthie: "To play in this team, you have to perform well.

"There are times when you have to make choices, you have to arbitrate between different possibilities. Our vision is focused on the match and the long term."

And on his decision to opt for a 7-1 split on the bench: "It's tactical and linked to a very special opponent. We decided to try a strategy to be ready in the key sectors in which Italy are extremely good."

Andrew Cotter: Backs are a dying breed in Rome with Italy going for six forwards on their bench and France becoming the first Six Nations side to follow the occasional Springbok method and choose seven forwards in reserve. It's legal - for now - and it shows how France want to play, dominating with their power.

Galthie has also been ruthless in dropping star names after the wasteful display against England with wing Penaud and fly-half Jalibert paying the price.

Italy can approach the game with some confidence - they were a kick away from beating France in Lille last year, they have continuity of selection and were good value for their win over Wales. But France will surely rebound well from Twickenham and their class should tell in the final quarter. Unless, that is, they lose a few backs to injury…