“We are not afraid of anyone and we want to sell our skin dearly”. Captain Sergio Parisse's words already warm the hearts of the 70.000 expected tomorrow at the Olimpico: Italrugby opens its Six Nations at home, hosting the French "cousins". “I have a lot of faith in my team, we are growing and we play a rugby that we enjoy. Compared to two years ago we have a different awareness, we have shown on the field that we can beat them".
Meanwhile, coach (French) Jacques Brunel has just formalized the formation that will take the field from the first minute. Three injured players (Gori, Barbieri, Antonio Pavanello) forced him to shuffle the cards at the last minute: the scrum-half will be Tobias Botes, the flanker Simone Favaro, and Minto will start in the second row, who was still the favorite over Pavanello . Planet Rugby, the online oval Bible, gives France the winner with 8 points difference: not bad, even two years ago they had made a bad prediction.
France has also announced the starting fifteen for Sunday: the midfielder is entrusted to Machenaud-Michalak, Huget and Fofana – who hurt us last year in Paris – are fullback and right wing respectively. Amazing third line with Picamoles, Dusatoir and Ouedraogo. Captain Papa.
The last match played in Italy was two years ago at the Flaminio stadium, and Italy won with a breathtaking 22-21. But today (16 pm) is another story. Meanwhile, yesterday on the opening day of the tournament, Ireland conquered Cardiff, beating Wales, while England knocked out Scotland at home as expected.
