France might go into the Six Nations as joint favourites with England but they will tread warily on to the Stadio Olimpico pitch for their opener tonight (NZT). The last time they played in Rome, at the Stadio Flaminio two years ago, Les Bleus suffered their first defeat against the Azzurri of Italy.
"France are a great team but there's no doubt about the fact they have respect for us," Italy's captain, the Stade Francais No8 Sergio Parisse, said.
"In 2011, we beat them at Flaminio. We all know their individual qualities but we'll be going into this match with no fear, as we do every time."
France will have Thierry Dusautoir at openside flanker. The former French captain and 2011 World Player of the Year was rested for the Argentina tour and missed the autumn tests because of a knee injury.
Lock Pascal Pape retains the captain's armband while Maxime Machenaud's fine performances in France's wins over Australia, Argentina and Samoa have earned him another start at halfback, alongside Frederic Michalak. The backbone of the team is the one that started the November tests, coach Philippe Saint-Andre said.