Is Italy vs France on TV today? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Women’s Six Nations fixture

Everything you need to know ahead of the Women’s Six Nations fixture

Italy and France met four times in 2022 (Getty Images)

After significant upheaval after the World Cup, Italy and France both bear a new look for the start of the 2023 Women’s Six Nations.

A number of key faces on either side and both head coaches have departed since these two met in a quarter-final in New Zealand.

France will hope to again challenge England at the top of the table and win back a championship they last claimed in 2018, but will be wary of Italy’s threat.

A much-changed French side was stunned by Italy in Biella in September, and new coach Giovanni Raineri will be hopeful his side can produce a repeat performance on home soil.

Here’s everything you need to know.

When is Italy vs France?

Italy vs France is due to kick-off at 3pm BST on Sunday 26 March at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi in Parma, Italy.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the Women’s Six Nations live on the BBC, with coverage of Italy vs France available via the red button, BBC iPlayer, and on the BBC Sport app or website.

Team News

Italy are now coached by Giovanni Raineri after the departure of stalwart Andrea Di Giandomenico, who had been in charge since 2009. Ranieri will be without the recently retired Manuela Furlan, Maria Magatti and Melissa Bettoni, though scrum-half Sara Barratin has been named in his squad despite appearing to indicate she too would be bowing out of rugby ahead of this campaign. Elisa Giordano has been named captain.

Also under new leadership are France, with Gaelle Mignot and David Ortiz taken on combined lead-coaching roles after a series of changes to the French coaching structure over the last 12 months. Lock Audrey Forlani is a slightly surprise choice as skipper after missing out on the World Cup, but second row is a problem area, with injury ruling Madoussou Fall out of the tournament and both Safi N’Diaye and Celine Ferer now retired. Outstanding scrum-half Laure Sansus is another to depart after the World Cup, while this Six Nations will be Jessy Tremouliere’s last as a player.

Line-ups

Italy XV: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Alyssa D’Incà, 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Lucia Gai, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 7 Giada Franco, 8 Elisa Giordano (c)

Replacements: 16 Emanuela Stecca, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Sara Seye, 19 Sara Tounesi, 20 Isabella Locatelli, 21 Sara Barattin, 22 Emma Stevanin, 23 Beatrice Capomaggi

France XV: 15. Émilie Boulard, 14. Cyrielle Banet, 13. Marine Ménager, 12. Gabrielle Vernier, 11. Caroline Boujard, 10. Carla Arbez, 9. Pauline Bourdon; 1. Annaëlle Deshaye, 2. Agathe Sochat, 3. Assia Khalfaoui, 4. Manaé Feleu, 5. Audrey Forlani (c), 6. Axelle Berthoumieu, 7. Emeline Gros, 8. Charlotte Escudero

Replacements:16. Célia Domain, 17. Coco Lindelauf, 18. Rose Bernadou, 19. Maëlle Picut, 20. Gaëlle Hermet, 21. Alexandra Chambon, 22. Jessy Trémoulière, 23. Marie Dupouy

Prediction

Italy are more than capable of running France close. The visitors will have to quickly embed a number of new combinations, but should still pip the home side. Italy 20-27 France