France Prepares Tactical Shift for Italy Match in Six Nations

Coach Fabien Galthié introduces a 7-1 bench strategy and key player changes for Sunday's game against Italy in Rome.

The French rugby team will use a 7-1 bench configuration with seven forwards and one back, inspired by the South African 'bomb squad' strategy.
Key players Damian Penaud and Matthieu Jalibert have been excluded from the lineup, with Théo Attissogbe and Thomas Ramos stepping into their roles.
Coach Fabien Galthié emphasizes the need for rotation and competition within the squad, citing long-term goals leading up to 2027.
Italy, under coach Gonzalo Quesada, has made two changes, with Simone Gesi and Gianmarco Lucchesi joining the starting lineup after strong recent performances.
Both teams acknowledge the growing competitiveness of Italy, with French captain Antoine Dupont cautioning against underestimating their opponents.