France’s Six Nations campaign rolls on with a highly anticipated clash against Italy at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Kick-off is set for 3:10 p.m. GMT, and all eyes are on Les Bleus as they chase Grand Slam glory, having already stamped their authority on this year’s tournament with emphatic wins over Ireland and Wales. But while the French are strong favorites, Italy arrive with renewed confidence after a solid showing so far—having toppled Scotland and pushed Ireland close in a 20-13 defeat.
This match isn’t just another tick on the Six Nations calendar. For France, it’s a vital step in a campaign that could see them sweep the table and claim the coveted Grand Slam. For Italy, it’s a chance to prove their upward trajectory is no fluke, especially after their narrow miss against France in Lille two years ago—a 13-13 draw where Paolo Garbisi’s late kick drifted wide, leaving the Azzurri agonizingly short of a famous win.
The build-up to this encounter, however, has been dominated by late drama in the French camp. Star fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, instrumental in France’s opening victories (36-14 over Ireland and 54-12 against Wales), was forced to withdraw on Saturday evening due to a calf injury. Jalibert, who has been a consistent presence and a creative spark for Les Bleus, announced on X: “A slight discomfort in my calf forces me to withdraw from tomorrow’s match. Thank you for your messages, I’ll be fully behind the teammates!” According to Reuters, the French Rugby Federation confirmed his absence without specifying the injury at first, but Jalibert himself clarified the situation, expressing his support for the squad.
His withdrawal triggered a reshuffle in France’s backline. Thomas Ramos, usually deployed at full-back, steps into the No. 10 shirt, bringing his own blend of composure and attacking flair to the fly-half role. Gaël Dréan, not originally in the matchday squad, is handed his first cap on the wing—a huge moment for the young player. Théo Attissogbe moves from the wing to full-back, rounding out a back-three that includes the dynamic Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The rest of the French starting XV remains as announced earlier in the week, with captain Antoine Dupont leading from scrum-half and the midfield partnership of Fabien Brau-Boirie and Émilien Gailleton holding firm.
In the forwards, head coach Fabien Galthié has opted for fresh legs in the engine room. Toulouse locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou replace Charles Ollivon and Mickaël Guillard, who both move to the bench. The back row of Anthony Jelonch, Oscar Jegou, and François Cros has been a revelation so far and remains unchanged. Up front, the trio of Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, and Dorian Aldegheri continue to anchor the scrum, while the bench sees the addition of Peato Mauvaka, Georges-Henri Colombe, and Pierre-Louis Barassi. As for the replacements, Galthié has kept faith in Rodrigue Neti, Lenni Nouchi, and Baptiste Serin, ensuring plenty of experience and impact if required.
Italy, for their part, have stuck largely with the side that’s impressed this tournament. The big news is the return of Toulouse full-back Ange Capuozzo, who missed the opening rounds with a fractured finger. His inclusion adds a potent attacking threat from deep—something French fans know all too well, given Capuozzo’s France-born ties and his flair on the international stage. The rest of the Italian backline features Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, and Alessandro Fusco. The pack, unchanged from previous rounds, is led by captain Michele Lamaro, with support from Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Niccolo Cannone, Andrea Zambonin, Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, and Simone Ferrari.
Italy’s bench offers further depth, with Pablo Dimcheff, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, and Paolo Odogwu all primed for action. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s faith in his forwards reflects their strong showing against Scotland and Ireland, and with Capuozzo back in the mix, Italy will be hoping to spring a surprise in Lille.
The match officials are also in the spotlight, with Andrew Brace (Ireland) taking charge, supported by assistant referees Luke Pearce (England) and Eoghan Cross (Ireland), and Olly Hodges (Ireland) serving as television match official. With such a high-stakes fixture, the role of the officials could prove pivotal, especially if the game is as tight as their last Lille encounter.
Broadcasting arrangements mean fans in the UK can catch the action live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 2:20 p.m. GMT, while BBC Radio 5Live will provide commentary for those on the go. The match is also available to stream via ITVX for those with a valid TV license.
France’s head-to-head record against Italy is overwhelmingly dominant, with 46 wins to Italy’s 3 and just one draw—the aforementioned 13-13 tie in 2024. Bookmakers have installed France as heavy favorites, with odds of 1/40 for a home win compared to Italy’s 18/1. But if recent history and Italy’s progress are anything to go by, Les Bleus would be wise not to underestimate their visitors.
There’s also the context of venue: with the Stade de France in Paris unavailable, Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy provides a different atmosphere. The last time these two sides met here, Italy came within a whisker of victory. That memory will surely fuel the Azzurri’s belief that another upset is possible.
For France, the challenge is to maintain momentum despite the late disruption to their lineup. Jalibert’s absence is a blow, but the reshuffled backline still boasts plenty of firepower. “We have confidence in our depth and the players coming in,” said a member of the French coaching staff, echoing the mood in camp. And with Antoine Dupont orchestrating from scrum-half, there’s no shortage of leadership on the pitch.
Italy, meanwhile, are relishing the underdog tag. Captain Michele Lamaro has spoken of his side’s growing belief and the importance of consistency. “We’ve shown we can compete with the best. Now it’s about taking that next step,” Lamaro noted in the pre-match press conference.
As kick-off approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a compelling contest. Can France keep their Grand Slam dream alive, or will Italy spoil the party in Lille? With both sides boasting dynamic talent and plenty of motivation, rugby fans are in for a treat. The action is set, the teams are ready, and the Six Nations drama continues.
With the match about to get underway, all that remains is to see if France can overcome their late setback and march on towards Grand Slam glory, or if Italy can seize their moment and make headlines of their own in Lille.