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Katie Sands

What time is France v Italy Six Nations kick-off and what TV channel is it on?

Six Nations title favourites France host Italy in the final fixture of the opening round on Sunday afternoon.

The Azzurri head to Stade de France in Paris having never won there previously, while Les Bleus last turned out there to beat the All Blacks in a thrilling encounter.

UPDATE: France see off spirited Italy in five-try Paris Six Nations win

Many are tipping France to pull off a Six Nations title win this season, which would be their first since 2010, after finishing as runners-up for the last two years.

The visitors - who have finished last in every Six Nations since 2016 - have a new head coach at the helm, with former Benetton coach Kieran Crowley taking over in November. He has put his faith in youth and hopes improved form at age-grade level follows through into the senior set-up.

Here's everything you need to know about the match:

What time is France v Italy Six Nations kick-off?

France v Italy kicks off at 3pm UK time/4pm local time at Stade de France on Sunday, February 6.

What TV channel is France v Italy on? What about live streaming?

France v Italy is being broadcast live on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2.30pm. Viewers can also live stream the action via the ITV Hub and online.

What's the France v Italy team news?

France have had a disrupted build-up to the tournament thanks to several big-name stars being absent from early preparations due to Covid, but they are more or less full strength. Antoine Dupont - who plays just his second game since December 11 due to contracting Covid and a knee issue - leads the side in the absence of Charles Ollivon, who himself has a long-term knee injury.

Two changes have been made to the side which beat the All Blacks in November; Dylan Cretin gets the nod in the back-row over François Cros and Julien Marchand lines up at hooker as Peato Mauvaka moves to the bench.

As for Italy, two debutants are among the starting XV in No. 8 Toa Halafihi and winger Tommaso Menoncello.

Wales-born Stephen Varney and Paolo Garbisi make up a familiar half-back pairing, while skipper Michele Lamaro leads the side from the back-row.

France : 15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Gabin Villière, 10. Romain Ntamack. 9. Antoine Dupont, 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Dylan Cretin, 8. Grégory Alldritt.

Replacements : 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. François Cros, 21. Maxime Lucu, 22. Yoram Moefana, 23. Thomas Ramos.

Italy : 15. Edoardo Padovani, 14. Tommaso Menoncello, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Marco Zanon, 11. Monty Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi. 9. Stephen Varney, 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3. Tiziano Pasquali, 4. Niccolò Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro, 8. Toa Halafihi.

Replacements : 16. Epalahame Faiva, 17. Ivan Nemer, 18. Giosuè Zilocchi, 19. Marco Fuser, 20. Giovanni Pettinelli, 21. Manuel Zuliani, 22. Callum Braley, 23. Leonardo Marin.

Fabien Galthie misses France v Italy after testing positive for Covid

France head coach Fabien Galthie will not be present for his team's Six Nations opener, having tested positive for Covid.

Les Bleus' general manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez will head up the coaching team at Stade de France, with Galthie working remotely.

"Raphael Ibanez and all of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be my relay on the pitch," Galthie said.

The French Rugby Federation said that tests carried out on the entire playing squad, coaching and management team on Friday produced no further positive results.

"Fabien Galthie, who has only mild symptoms, continues to assume all of his prerogatives from a distance during this period," the Federation said.

"He will rely on the presence of Raphael Ibanez with the France group, as well as on all the staff, and will continue to intervene remotely."

Who is the France v Italy referee?

Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU)

Assistant Referee 1: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)

Assistant Referee 2: Damon Murphy (RA)

TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)

What's been said?

France centre Gaël Fickou: "To move forward and continue our development, it would be good to win a title. Everyone is looking to do that, we (the players) first and foremost. We will try to win the Championship, we know it won’t be easy because the level is very high. We are preparing in the best way possible and we hope it will happen soon."

Italy coach Kieran Crowley: "The work done this week to prepare for the start of the Six Nations has been intense and of high quality. There is so much energy in the squad and an understanding that we are going to be playing in one of the most important tournaments in rugby and sport. We are focused on our performance: it will be important to stay lucid in the key moments of the game."

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