France vs Italy Preview

With two rounds of the 2018 Six Nations in the bag, both France and Italy have yet to chalk up a win. Jacques Brunel's France have come close – losing to an after-the-hooter Johnny Sexton drop goal on the opening weekend, before giving up a 10-point lead in Edinburgh last time out to lose 32-26 at the death. Conor O'Shea's Italy, meanwhile, have suffered big defeats against England in Rome, then Ireland in Dublin. It's win or bust, then, for both sides – but despite their current and long-running off-field problems, there's no denying France have greater strength in depth, and they remain big favourites in the Six Nations betting odds to win this match for a reason.

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France vs Italy Prediction

It would be no surprise to discover that before the tournament kicked off, the Italians targeted this game as one they could win. OddsDigger's rugby union tips make no secret of the fact that France are the wounded animal of the Six Nations and, in theory at least, ripe for the taking for any side hungry and determined enough to do it. But, punter beware. Les Bleus may be a shadow of their former selves, but under new coach Brunel, there is a suggestion that they have lost "Le Fear" that gripped them during the Philippe Saint-Andre and Guy Noves' years. Brunel has not got it quite right so far – but France pushed Italy and Scotland all the way in the opening two matches. Anything other than a home win in Paris would be a major shock.

France vs Italy Betting Tips

Eight defeats in nine games is not a record to be proud of for France. The long losing streak cost former coach Guy Noves his job just before Christmas. A new man in charge, Brunel has had little time to plot his Six Nations campaign, but there are already signs of a new belief in the ranks. And, the fact remains that the hosts have plenty of firepower to see off their opponents, for whom captain Sergio Parisse is nearing an unwanted and undeserved record of a century of defeats. The odds offered by William Hill are par for the course for a home win at Stade de France on February 23, anything else would be earth-shatteringly surprising.

If there is a hint of light piercing the gloom of French rugby right now, it has to be the form of Racing 92 winger Teddy Thomas. His wonder try against Ireland in Paris was the only touchdown of the game. And he followed that score with a double – including another early magical solo effort – in a losing cause against Scotland nearly a fortnight ago in Edinburgh, as Les Bleus raced into a 10-0 lead in the opening 10 minutes. It is no surprise, then, that the bookmakers are offering odds as short as those from Betfair for France to open the scoring in Paris.