France vs Italy, Six Nations 2026: Kick-off time, TV channel, live stream, team news, lineups, h2h results, odds today

After wins against England and Wales in their first two matches, France face Italy in Lille.

Italy have impressed so far, beating Scotland before an agonising 20-13 defeat by Ireland, but France will fancy their chances of continuing their strong start.

Here’s everything you need to know…

France vs Italy takes place on Sunday February 22, 2026, at Lille’s Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Kick-off is scheduled for 3.10pm GMT.

TV channel: In the UK, France vs Italy is being shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2.20pm GMT ahead of a 3.10pm kick-off.

Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is available to those with a valid TV license.

France have changed their second-row partnership, with Toulouse locks Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou replacing Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard.

They are the only changes to France’s XV from their 54-12 win over Wales.

Matthieu Jalibert is at No10, with Louis Bielle-Barry on the wing.

There is rotation on the bench, too, as hooker Peato Mauvaka, prop George-Henri Colombe and centre Pierre-Louis Barassi are all called up in place of Maxime Lamothe, Regis Montagne and Noah Nene.

France-born Ange Capuozzo returns for Italy at full-back having missed the first two matches with a fractured finger.

That is the only change for Gonzalo Quesada’s side.

France XV: Ramos, Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey, Jalibert, Dupont; Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch

Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Colombe, Ollivon, Guillard, Nouchi, Serin, Barassi

Italy XV: Capuzzo, Lynagh, Menoncello, Marin, Ioane, Garbisi, Fusco; Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Nannone, Zambonin, Lamaro, Zuliani, Cannone

Replacements: Dimcheff, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Ruzza, Favretto, Odiase, Garbisi, Odogwu

Last year’s Six Nations saw France face Italy for the fiftieth time, with that match ending 73-24 in favour of Les Bleus.

At face value, this clash seems to be a case of an unstoppable force meeting a movable object.

That is not to discount Italy’s remarkable progress in recent years, or their impressive defeat of Scotland in this tournament’s first matchday.

But the Azzurri will visit Lille as considerable underdogs, and will have their work cut out for them against Les Bleus, who have shown few, if any, weaknesses thus far in their campaign.

There are three more matches between France and the Grand Slam, but they will not expect their progress to be disrupted here.

France to win by 30 points.

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).