All eyes turn to Lille this Sunday as France and Italy prepare to lock horns in the 2026 Men’s Six Nations, with both sides carrying plenty of intrigue and ambition into their Round 3 encounter. Kick-off is set for 15:10 GMT at the impressive Stade Pierre-Mauroy, and fans across the rugby world are tuning in, eager to see if Les Bleus can continue their charge towards a record-breaking fifth Grand Slam or if the ever-improving Azzurri can spring a surprise.
France, under the stewardship of Fabien Galthié, have been nothing short of sensational in this year’s championship. They opened their campaign with a resounding 36-14 victory over Ireland and followed it up with a ruthless 54-12 demolition of Wales in Cardiff. Those bonus-point wins have left them four points clear at the top of the table, with Scotland trailing in their wake. The stakes are sky-high: a clean sweep this year would see France surpass Wales and claim the outright record for most Grand Slam titles—an achievement that’s clearly within their grasp if current form is anything to go by.
But standing in their way is an Italian side that’s quietly building a reputation as dangerous underdogs. Italy, coached by Gonzalo Quesada, kicked off their Six Nations with a gritty 18-15 win over Scotland and then pushed Ireland to the limit before falling 20-13 in Dublin. Their progression is clear, and while they remain outsiders in Lille—bookmakers have them at 10/1 compared to France’s overwhelming 1/66 odds—they’ve shown they can’t be taken lightly. After all, it was only two years ago that Italy came within a whisker of a historic victory on French soil, drawing 13-13 in Lille after Paolo Garbisi’s last-gasp penalty struck the post.
The head-to-head between these two nations has long favored France. Out of 52 meetings, Les Bleus have won 48, Italy just three, with a solitary draw—the aforementioned 2024 stalemate in Lille. Since Italy’s entry into the Six Nations in 2000, they’ve managed just two wins in the championship, both in Rome (2011 and 2013). The Giuseppe Garibaldi Trophy, introduced in 2007 to honor the Italian revolutionary, remains firmly in French hands for now.
Yet recent history suggests this fixture is becoming less predictable. Last year, France ran riot in Rome, racking up an 11-try, 73-24 victory—the fifth largest winning margin in Six Nations history. But sandwiched between those routs was that tense Lille draw, a reminder that Italy’s upward trajectory is more than just talk. Their fifth-place finishes in 2024 and 2025 ended a run of eight consecutive wooden spoons, and with a home fixture against England and a trip to Wales still to come, the Azzurri are targeting their best finish in over a decade.
Team news on the French side brings a blend of continuity and fresh opportunity. Captain Antoine Dupont, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier scrum-halves, continues to marshal the side from number nine. The backline sees Thomas Ramos stepping in at fly-half following Matthieu Jalibert’s late withdrawal, while Gaël Dréan is handed a debut start on the wing—both moves reflecting the impressive depth of the French squad. Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou return to the second row, adding physicality and lineout prowess. The replacements’ bench is equally stacked, featuring Peato Mauvaka, Georges-Henri Colombe, and Pierre-Louis Barassi among others.
Italy, meanwhile, welcome back the electric Ange Capuozzo at full-back after injury, a player whose attacking flair and counter-attacking threat have caused headaches for defenses across Europe. Captain Michele Lamaro anchors the pack, and the only other changes to the matchday 23 come on the bench, where Pablo Dimcheff and Giosuè Zilocchi provide fresh front-row cover. The starting XV remains largely unchanged from their valiant effort in Dublin, a testament to Quesada’s faith in his young, improving group.
The match will be officiated by Andrew Brace of Ireland, with assistants Luke Pearce (England) and Eoghan Cross (Ireland), and Olly Hodges (Ireland) serving as TMO. Global fans can catch the action live and for free in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX (coverage from 14:20 GMT), in Ireland on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player (from 14:30 GMT), and in France on France 2 and France TV. International options abound, with NBC’s Peacock Premium carrying the game in the US, SuperSport in South Africa, Stan Sport in Australia, and Sky Sport in New Zealand.
With France’s attacking firepower—wings Gaël Dréan and Louis Bielle-Biarrey are joint-favorites to score the first try at 6/1, and Dupont himself is a strong contender at 8/1—the expectation is for Les Bleus to play with their usual verve. But Italy’s defense has shown real steel, and their narrow loss to Ireland proved they can frustrate even the most potent opposition. The betting markets expect France to win by 16-20 points, and the total points line sits at 53.5, reflecting both France’s scoring prowess and Italy’s newfound resilience.
Of course, the psychological edge may still rest with France. Their record in Lille is formidable, and they’ll be eager to avenge the draw of two years ago. Yet, as the Italian camp will remind themselves, the margins are narrowing. “We are heading in the right direction,” Quesada said earlier this week, pointing to his side’s growing confidence and cohesion. For France, the message is simple: keep the foot on the gas and don’t give Italy an inch.
As for the fans, anticipation is sky-high. The weather in Lille is set to be mild but wet—a classic northern French rugby setting that could add an extra layer of unpredictability. Both teams have everything to play for: France, the chance to make history; Italy, the opportunity to prove their progress is real and perhaps even pull off a shock that would reverberate around the rugby world.
With kickoff fast approaching and the world watching, one thing is certain: this is no ordinary Six Nations clash. Whether it’s another French masterclass or a spirited Italian stand, rugby fans are in for a treat in Lille. The action is about to begin, and with so much at stake, every pass, tackle, and try will count.