France's rugby team, the XV de France, is gearing up for one of the most anticipated matchups of the Six Nations 2025 as they prepare to face Italy on February 23 at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome. After suffering a narrow defeat against England, French coach Fabien Galthié has made significant changes to his lineup, emphasizing the urgency for his team to secure a win.
"C’était attendu, c’est désormais confirmé," Galthié said, affirming the latest team adjustments. The match is pivotal, not just for pride, but for France's chances of contending for the Six Nations title. Currently, the French are coming off two contrasting results—a demoralizing loss to England and a strong win over Wales. With only one win in their recent outings, the pressure is on to bounce back against the Squadra Azzurra.
For the clash against Italy, Galthié has opted for a more dynamic strategy by implementing four lineup changes compared to the previous match at Twickenham. Among the notable adjustments is the return of Léo Barré following his recovery from injury, who will wear the number 15 jersey. This significant change allows Thomas Ramos, traditionally playing fullback, to slot in at fly-half—an area where he shined during the November internationals.
The forwards will see the presence of Thibaud Flament, who returns to the starting lineup after missing previous matches due to injury. He will pair with Mickaël Guillard, taking over from the sidelined Emmanuel Meafou, who is out due to illness. This fresh second-row combination aims to strengthen the French pack, which is expected to dominate the set pieces against the Italians.
On the wings, the absence of star player Damian Penaud is particularly noteworthy. Galthié has chosen to go with Théo Attissogbé, who has made promising appearances earlier this season. His selection signifies Galthié's commitment to youth and performance, compelling Attissogbé to step up on one of the biggest stages of rugby.
"Le XV de France est attendu en Italie pour la troisième journée du Tournoi des 6 Nations 2025 !" reported French media, highlighting the excitement surrounding this match. The Italians come off a mixed bag of results—a loss to Scotland followed by replenishing resilience shown against Wales. Under the leadership of experienced coach Gonzalo Quesada, the Italian side is fielding several consistent players, aiming to build on their performance at home.
While both teams eye the victory, Italy will push hard to secure another home win, with high stakes related to their position within the tournament standings. Key players like Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo will be instrumental, as they look to exploit any weaknesses within the French defense.
The historical rivalry between France and Italy adds extra spice to this encounter, especially after the teams drew last year at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. With both teams aiming for different aims—France targeting the top of the table and Italy striving for respect—this match promises to deliver high drama and intense competition.
Looking forward to the match, rugby fans are buzzing over the potential plays and strategies each side could deploy. Galthié’s formation emphasizes power and agility, providing France with the opportunity to dictate the pace. The French bench is built with more forwards than backs, reflecting Galthié's strategy centred on physicality and territory control.
With the kick-off approaching, all eyes will be on the players to deliver thrilling rugby and possibly historic moments at the Stadio Olimpico. France's upgraded squad is tasked to not only win but win strongly, to keep their hopes alive for not just another Six Nations title, but to solidify their resurgence as one of Europe’s dominant teams.
Overall, the stakes could not be higher for this penultimate encounter of the Six Nations, setting the stage for what is sure to be another memorable chapter in rugby’s storied rivalry.