There will be a Six Nations re-match as France and Italy do battle at Twickenham in the fifth match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup on Saturday night. The teams are in Pool D, alongside Ireland, Canada and Romania, and the match kicks off at 20:00 UK Time (21:00 SA Time).
Italy, who have made four changes since their last test, will set a new World Cup record for the most experienced front row as their starting trio boast a total of 227 test caps. The current record was set in 2011 when a front row with 215 caps between them took the field for the Springboks against Namibia.
Martin Castogiavanni will become Italy’s most capped player as he makes his 114th appearance for his country. He will reach this landmark as Sergio Parisse misses out due to injury. Leonarodo Ghiraldini will captain Italy for the 10th time in the absence of Parisse.
France’s coach Phillipe Saint-Andre has named a team that contains two South African born players – starting Fullback Scott Spedding and Loose forward Bernard le Roux who is on the bench. Rory Kockott misses out on selection for this match altogether. France will be captained by Thierry Dussatoir.
Teams:
Italy:
1. Matias Aguero
2. Leonardo Ghiraldini (Captain)
3. Martin Castrogiovanni
4. Quintin Geldenhuys
5. Josh Furno
6. Alessandro Zanni
7. Francesco Minto
8. Samuela Vunisa
9. Edoardo Gori
10. Tommaso Allan
11. Giovanbattista Venditti
12. Andrea Masi
13. Michele Campagnaro
14. Leonardo Sarto
15. Luke McLean
Replacements:
16. Andrea Manici
17. Michele Rizzo
18. Lorenzo Cittadini
19. Valerio Bernabo
20. Simone Favaro
21. Guglielmo Palazzani
22. Carlo Canna
23. Enrico Bacchin
France:
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Pape
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir (Captain)
7. Damien Chouly
8. Louis Picamoles
9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
10. Frederic Michalak
11. Noa Nakaitaci
12. Alexandre Dumoulin
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
14. Yoann Huget
15. Scott Spedding
Replacements:
16. Benjamin Kayser
17. Vincent Debaty
18. Nicolas Mas
19. Bernard Le Roux
20. Alexandre Flanquart
21. Morgan Parra
22. Remi Tales
23. Gael Fickou