On February 22, 2025, the France U20 rugby team will take on Italy U20 at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo in Treviso, as part of the third round of the Six Nations Championship. This match is particularly pivotal for both teams, as they seek to secure their standing after suffering defeats earlier in the tournament.
France currently holds second place, tied with both Italy and Ireland, each with five points. Under the guidance of coach Cédric Laborde, the French team hopes to rebound from their recent loss against England, where they were defeated 27-10. Earlier, during the opening round, France delivered an impressive performance by overwhelming Wales with a score of 63-19.
The Italian team, similarly, is in need of a win. Their previous match ended with a narrow defeat to Wales, losing 20-18. Last year, Italy won against France with a score of 23-20, which adds extra motivation heading onto the pitch this Saturday.
Unfortunately for France, key players will not be participating due to injuries sustained during the matches. Diego Jurd will be missed after going down against England, and other unavailable players include Thibaut Motassi, Robin Taccola, Fabien Brau-Boirie, and Ugo Pacome. The absence of these players adds additional challenges for Laborde as he prepares his squad.
The match kicks off at 20:45 local time and can be watched live on L’Équipe, with fans also able to access commentary online at Ouest-France’s website. Refereeing the match will be Peter Martin from Ireland, which should bring another layer of intensity to the already competitive atmosphere.
The stakes are high for both teams: victory is needed to maintain their chances at the championship. A win for France would help redeem their standing post-England and assert their position as contenders, especially with such formidable competition. For Italy, performing well on home soil against such powerful opponents carries immense pride and motivation.
All eyes will be on the Stadio Comunale di Monigo as the Azzurri welcome the French team on their grounds, promising to deliver edge-of-the-seat excitement for rugby fans on Saturday night. The tension is palpable, and the outcome remains uncertain as both teams prepare for what could be another thrilling chapter in U20 rugby.