France make four changes for clash against Italy

France coach Guy Noves has made changes for the trip to Italy
France coach Guy Noves has made changes for the trip to Italy
©PA

Brive flanker Fabien Sanconnie is set to make his debut for France in the upcoming Six Nations clash against Italy at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

The 22-year-old will take the place of Bernard le Roux, who moves to the bench while Brice Dulin and Virimi Vakatawa will replace Scott Spedding and Yoann Huget at fullback and wing respectively.

Julien le devedec has been promoted to the XV with Sebastien Vahaamahina missing out on the matchday 23. Toulon fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc has made a recovery from a broken arm and has been included among the replacements with Camille Lopez being the preferred number 10 but Mathieu Bastareaud hasn't made sufficient recovery from concussion

France team to take on Italy: B Dulin (Racing 92), N Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), R Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne), G Fickou (Toulouse), V Vakatawa (Racing 92), C Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), B Serin (Bordeaux-Begles); C Baille (Toulouse), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), R Slimani (Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), J Le Devedec (Brive), F Sanconnie (Brive), K Gourdon (La Rochelle), L Picamoles (Northampton).

Replacements: C Tolofua (Toulouse), U Antonio (La Rochelle), E Ben Arous, (Racing 92), P Jedrasiak (Clermont Auvergne), B Le Roux (Racing 92), A Dupont (Castres), F Trinh-Duc (Toulon), Y Huget (Toulouse).

Our 6 Nations cover is sponsored by Allett Mowers

France Fixtures