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How 'no fluke' Italy will look to combat France and their 7-1 bench
By PA
France are seeking a reaction to their defeat by England as they look to reignite their Guinness Six Nations title push at the expense of Italy in Rome on Sunday.
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Head coach Fabien Galthie has responded to the 26-25 loss at Allianz Stadium by making seven changes, including the axing of star wing Damian Penaud and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert.
Thomas Ramos shifts from full-back into the number 10 jersey and Galthie has sprung another surprise by naming a seven-one split between forwards and backs on the bench. France become only the second tier one side after South Africa to load their replacements in this way.
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Wing Simone Gesi and hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi are the new faces in Italy’s team as they look to follow up their victory over Wales in round two by springing a major upset.
“We can’t say, ‘We have beaten Wales, that’s it’. The objective is to beat a team that is better than Wales,” front row Giacomo Nicotera said.
Italy claimed two victories in the 2024 Championship and Nicotera added: “Last year was great, the best Six Nations Italy has had, and we want to improve on it.
“We know if we don’t keep improving then everyone will say last year was a fluke, or coincidence. We are on the right path and growing lots.”
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