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Six Nations: France v Italy First Round Preview

The Six Nations kicks off with a bang this weekend, as France take on Italy in Paris to mark the begin of six weeks of rugby union action. Total Sport gives you the vital information and statistics you need to know ahead of Guy Novès' France side locking horns with Jacques Brunel's Italians...

Where is the match being played?: Stade de France, Paris

What day is the match?: Saturday, February 6

What time is kick off?: 3.25pm (local time)

Who is the referee?: JP Doyle

Who are the assistants?: George Clancy (IRFU) and Federico Anselmi (UAR)

France and Italy statistics

Guy Noves takes charge of France with the national side having lost their last two matches at the RWC2015, against Ireland and New Zealand.

France have lost just once in round 1 of the RBS 6 Nations in the last six years: to Italy in Rome in 2013 - the year they went on to take the wooden spoon.

Italy have won two of their last three test matches, against Canada and Romania at RWC2015, but in the RBS 6 Nations their only victory in their last ten encounters came in round 3 away to Scotland. This was only the Azzurri’s second away win in the history of the tournament, the other also being at BT Murray field in 2007

France won 32-10 when the two countries clashed at Twickenham in a pool game at RWC2015. Italy have beaten France twice in the RBS 6 Nations, both in Rome, in 2011 and 2013.

Italy’s only victory over France in France was 40-32 at Grenoble in the final of the FIRA Championship in 1997.

Last time the sides met

The European heavyweights met each other in the 2015 rugby World Cup. In a game the French initially dominated, the Italians momentarily threatened to defy the odds and stage a come back.

French resilience prevailed however, and Les Blues triumphed 32-10. Watch the best of the match highlights below: