XV de France to Field Largely Unchanged Lineup Against Italy in Six Nations

The French national rugby team, XV de France, is poised to maintain the same starting XV for their upcoming Six Nations 2026 match against Italy on Sunday, February 21, in Lille. This decision follows an emphatic 54-12 victory over Wales and comes after a training session at Marcoussis where all players from the winning team wore white bibs, signaling continuity.

Key players expected to retain their positions include captain Antoine Dupont, fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, and a forward pack featuring Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, and Charles Ollivon. The backline likely to start includes Fabien Brau-Boirie and Émilien Gailleton at center, both of whom scored tries against Wales, alongside fullback Ramos, and wings Bielle-Biarrey and Attissogbe.

There may be minimal changes on the bench, with Emmanuel Meafou returning after a concussion protocol and Pierre-Louis Barassi expected to replace Noah Nene as a substitute. Other players like Peato Mauvaka and Rabah Slimani appear in training, suggesting possible inclusion in the matchday squad.

Scheduled for a 16:10 kickoff at Villeneuve-d'Ascq near Lille, this match marks France's third round in the Six Nations Tournament. The team's consistency aims to sustain their position at the top of the standings after two dominant rounds.