Italy vs France
Six Nations 2019
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Kick-off: 12:30pm GMT, Saturday, March 16
While all eyes will be on the Principality Stadium and Twickenham during what promises to be a dramatic final day of 2019 Six Nations action, Super Saturday begins at Rome's Stadio Olimpico, where Italy will hope to end their losing streak against France.
After being on the receiving end of a 57-14 shellacking by England last weekend, the Azzurri have now lost 21 successive matches in the competition - a run that dates back to 2015 - amid a backdrop of more hand-wringing among the rugby public over their long-term place in the tournament.
While pointless Italy are guaranteed to take the wooden spoon once more, fifth-place France cannot hope to jump into the top three after a disappointing campaign of their own.
Les Bleus frittered away a 16-point first-half lead against Wales on opening night and fell to comfortable losses at the hands of England and Ireland either side of the brief ray of light that was their 27-10 defeat of Scotland in Paris.
Team news and line-ups
Italy show five changes from the side thrashed by England, with Gloucester's Jake Polledri selected ahead of Sebastian Negri in the back row.
Injuries to Michele Campagnaro and Dean Budd present starting opportunities to 21-year-old debutant Marco Zanon and David Sisi, while Tiziano Pasquali and Leonardo Ghiraldini replace Simone Ferrari and Luca Bigi in the front row.
Italy XV: Hayward; Padovani, Zanon, Morisi, Esposito; Allan, Tebaldi; Lovotti, Ghiraldini, Pasquali; Sisi, Ruzza; Steyn, Polledri, Parisse (c)
Replacements: Bigi, Traore, Ferrari, Zanni, Negri, Palazzani, McKinley, Sperandio
Unpredictable France also make plenty of alterations after a brief flirtation with consistency, headlined by Wesley Fofana - who intends to retire after the World Cup in Japan later this year - being drafted in for one final Six Nations appearance after injury.
He replaces Gael Fickou, while at full-back Thomas Ramos makes way for Maxime Medard.
In the pack, Etienne Falgoux deputises for injured loose-head prop Jefferson Poirot, Paul Willemse returns at lock and Yacouba Camara and Gregory Alldritt get the nod in the back row.
France XV: Medard; Penaud, Bastareaud, Fofana, Huget; Ntamack, Dupont; Falgoux, Guirado (c), Bamba; Lambey, Willemse; Alldritt, Camara, Picamoles
Replacements: Chat, Priso, Aldegheri, Gabrillagues, Iturria, Serin, Lopez, Ramos
Score prediction: Italy 14-24 France
Italy will no doubt feel that this contest represents their best chance to bust that wretched losing streak and they can take heart from combative home displays against Wales and Ireland - the latter of whom they led at half-time before falling to a 26-16 defeat.
As ever it very much depends on which France team make an appearance in Rome on Saturday, though the visitors should still possess enough quality to finish a difficult Six Nations on something of a positive note.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Italy to win: 3/1
- Draw: 33/1
- France to win: 2/7
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
ITV and the BBC are sharing broadcasting rights for the Six Nations for the third successive year, with ITV hosting Italy vs France on their main free-to-air channel and via their online ITV Hub.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
These two teams have met on 40 previous occasions, with France claiming 37 wins to Italy's three. There have been no draws to date.
Italy's two victories in the Six Nations era both came at home in 2011 and 2013. They have lost each of the last six matches, including at the 2015 World Cup at Twickenham.
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