France vs Italy Preview & Tips - France backed to continue march towards Six Nations Grand Slam

Ben Darvill

Editor

Last updated: 20 Feb 2026

Add to Calendar

Share

Ben Darvill 20 Feb 2026

Share this article

France have won their opening two matches in the 2026 Six Nations
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored in each of his Six Nations matches this year
Preview, stats & head to head

Louis Bielle Biarrey of France (Getty Images)

France vs Italy Preview & Tips
Head To Head
France Form
Italy Form

France vs Italy Preview & Tips

France are aiming to head into the break week in the Six Nations on the back of three consecutive wins in the competition this year.

Italy are aiming to keep their unlikely hopes of securing the Six Nations crown alive, with victory over France seeing them match the record of the leaders this season.

France have won their last four matches in all competitions
Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored 23 tries in 24 appearances for France

Head To Head

France have won nine of their last 10 against Italy, with their meeting in 2024 ending in a 13-13 draw.

France Form

France have barely been troubled across their opening two matches of the Six Nations this year, with the reigning champions easily beating two sides that had formerly given the French a lot of problems.

Their 36-14 win over Ireland saw the scoreboard flatter the Irish as the French took their foot off the accelerator in the second-half. Against Wales, France barely got out of second gear as they completely outplayed their hosts in a 54-12 win.

While France should easily beat Italy in this one, the French have usually had a wobble in them in a Six Nations campaign. In 2025, they were beaten 26-25 by England at Twickenham, while they dopped points in a 13-13 draw with Italy the year before.

France are undoubtedly the best side in the Six Nations, but they have not won a Grand Slam since 2022. Brining everything together at once has been an issue for France, but their first two performances were so good that it is tough to see Italy denying them the full five points.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey continues to terrorise defences this season, and I back him to make it three consecutive matches in which he scores a try for his side.

Italy Form

Italy will feel like they allowed a huge chance to beat Ireland pass them by last week as they slipped to a 20-13 loss on the road.

In a game in which they matched Ireland across the park, Italy failed to land the hammer blow and draw the game despite dragging themselves back to within a converted try at 20-13 in the 67th minute. While they huffed and puffed, Italy failed to find the breakthrough as Ireland held on.

While Italy were very impressive across the match, their inability to score that crucial try late on shows they are still a step or two behind the best. Italy are quickly improving and will likely end the campaign with two wins, but victory will more than like come against Wales rather than a team that beat them 73-24 in their meeting last season.

Verdict

France v Italy

I am backing France to storm to another win with a try-scoring bonus point as Louis Bielle-Biarrey scores again.

France -27.5

Handicap Bet

@-111.11 - 1 Unit

25,000 Gold Coins + 1 Shuffle Cash

with referral code MADMAX

Join Shuffle.us using the referral code MADMAX and claim 25,000 Gold Coins + 1 Shuffle Cash to use at this leading crypto operator. No purchase is necessary to play. Promotions are void where prohibited by law. Shuffle.us is a play-for-fun website intended for amusement purposes only. Shuffle.us does not offer “real-money gambling.” Shuffle.us is a Social Gaming Platform and is only open to Eligible Participants, who are at least eighteen (18) years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction (whichever occurs later) at the time of entry. Shuffle.us is committed to responsible social play, for more information visit gamingaddictsanonymous.org. Please read their Privacy Policy for more information. 21+.

Bet at Shuffle

Louis Bielle-Biarrey

First Try Scorer

@600.00 - 1 Unit

25,000 Gold Coins + 1 Shuffle Cash

with referral code MADMAX

Join Shuffle.us using the referral code MADMAX and claim 25,000 Gold Coins + 1 Shuffle Cash to use at this leading crypto operator. No purchase is necessary to play. Promotions are void where prohibited by law. Shuffle.us is a play-for-fun website intended for amusement purposes only. Shuffle.us does not offer “real-money gambling.” Shuffle.us is a Social Gaming Platform and is only open to Eligible Participants, who are at least eighteen (18) years old or the age of majority in their jurisdiction (whichever occurs later) at the time of entry. Shuffle.us is committed to responsible social play, for more information visit gamingaddictsanonymous.org. Please read their Privacy Policy for more information. 21+.

Bet at Shuffle