The 36-0 scoreline may not suggest it, but Italy did not suffer any reputational damage in Dublin in the last round. They saw little of the ball but did not cave in as they had against New Zealand and France in the World Cup when they conceded a total of 22 tries.
“It could have been a lot worse in Dublin,” said Italy’s head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the former Argentina outside-half who has extensive knowledge of French rugby having played for three clubs, coached Stade Francais and been part of France’s management team in 2010 when they won the Grand Slam.
“We managed to keep our concentration right until the end, otherwise it would have ended like our last two matches in the World Cup. We have looked at what we did well and what we did badly and worked on a number of technical points. We did not have enough possession against Ireland.”
It will be Italy’s 27th Test away to France. Their only victory came in 1997 in Grenoble and only once have they picked up a losing bonus point, at Stade de France in 2016.
Quesada has made six changes from the side that went down in Dublin. Riccardo Favretto gets his first start three years after making his debut from the bench in another back row reshuffle while Martin Page-Relo takes over from Gloucester’s Stephen Varney at scrum-half.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Stade are heading in right direction
IS there an early winter equivalent to the idiom about solitary swallows and the impending arrival of summer? Because – whatever it might be, something involving snowflakes, perhaps, or frosts – that’s the situation at Stade Francais right now.
Borthwick needs to sort out defence
WELL surprise, surprise England at last managed to win at home in front of a nearly full Allianz stadium even if it was against a team that they had thrashed just a few months earlier.
Rowland is gearing up for world cup challenge
HELENA Rowland believes England Women have been given advance warning that next year’s Rugby World Cup is to be no formality.
All my energy is going into Beziers
IT’S a dream to be a part-share owner of AS Beziers Hérault, the 11-time French champions, along with Andrew Mehrtens and Bobby Skinstad.
Fylde left to count cost of the cards
LEEDS TYKES were thankful for their resolute defence as they clung on to claim a narrow win against Fylde.
O'Grady glad to learn his trade in tough surroundings
EXETER University flyhalf Lewis O’Grady is enjoying the physicality of National 2 West and insists it is the best preparation for his transition to senior rugby after graduation.
It's Bristol or nothing for me - Cunningham
PROUD Bristolian Hollie Cunningham hopes to inspire the next generation of Bears players and can’t see herself ever playing for anyone else.
Bristol hit heights to take down champions
BRISTOL Bears head coach Dave Ward could not hide his delight following an impressive victory over reigning PWR champions Gloucester Hartpury at Kingsholm.
Good to see the Eagles soaring again
THAT’S a wrap for the autumn Tests and it would be remiss not to scroll through the undercard and round up the best of the action outside of the A list matches. A quick crib sheet for those not paying attention at the back.
Thomas ready for Edinburgh clash
FRESH from his dream Wales debut, Freddie Thomas has set his sights on helping Gloucester conquer Europe.
