Italy welcome France to Parma’s Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi on Sunday in a Round 1 clash full of intrigue.
Both teams boast new coaching set-ups, with David Ortiz and Gaëlle Mignot taking over from Thomas Darracq at the French helm and Giovanni Raineri appointed Italian head coach at the conclusion of last year’s Rugby World Cup.
France were the victors in October, as Joanna Grisez’ hat-trick helped them to a 39-3 quarter-final win over the Azzurre.
But Italy sneaked in a 26-19 victory against France the month previously in a World Cup warm-up, after being defeated 39-6 in the 2022 TikTok Women’s Six Nations.
Italy team news
Raineri’s first team sheet of his tenure leans on experience, with no starting player possessing fewer than 12 caps.
Alyssa D’Incà is the most junior member of the starting XV in that regard, and the winger, who celebrated her 21st birthday on Thursday, is one of three changes to the team that lost in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals five months ago.
D’Incà came off the replacements’ bench in the 72nd minute that day, as did hooker Vittoria Vecchini who takes the place of the retired Melissa Bettoni.
The final alteration sees flanker Giada Franco return to the side after missing the loss to France in Whangarei due to concussion.
Elsewhere, Italy’s most capped woman, Sara Barattin, keeps her spot on the bench, and Michela Sillari, Italy’s highest active point-scorer in the Championship – 112 – goes again from outside centre.
Raineri said: “We can’t wait to take part in this prestigious tournament.
“For me it is a double emotion, experiencing it for the first time as a coach, after taking to the field as a player.
“We are aware of how challenging the competition will be – we will face very strong teams and we are preparing for the best.
“All the players in the team will have to give the best of themselves: the most experienced leading the younger ones and the girls with fewer caps having the aim of confirming the good things they have already shown.”
Italy team to play France: 15. Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14. Aura Muzzo, 13. Michela Sillari, 12. Beatrice Rigoni, 11. Alyssa D’Incà, 10. Veronica Madia, 9. Sofia Stefan; 1. Silvia Turani, 2. Vittoria Vecchini, 3. Lucia Gai, 4. Valeria Fedrighi, 5. Giordana Duca, 6. Francesca Sgorbini, 7. Giada Franco, 8. Elisa Giordano (C)
Replacements: 16. Emanuela Stecca, 17. Gaia Maris, 18. Sara Seye, 19. Sara Tounesi, 20. Isabella Locatelli, 21. Sara Barattin, 22. Emma Stevanin, 23. Beatrice Capomaggi
France team news
Fly-half Carla Arbez will make her first international start for France when they take on Italy in Parma on Sunday.
Pauline Bourdon, who deputised exceptionally when Laure Sansus’ World Cup ended in injury, will partner the 23-year-old at scrum-half, with the duo having previously played together for Bayonne.
Experienced lock Audrey Forlani will captain Les Bleues, with former skipper Gaëlle Hermet named on the bench.
Jessy Trémoulière also starts as a replacement, after announcing that she will retire from international rugby at the end of the Championship.
There is an all-Stade Bordelais front row in the form of Annaëlle Deshaye, Agathe Sochat and Assia Khalfaoui, while young forwards Manaé Feleu, Axelle Berthoumieu and Charlotte Escudero are included from the start.
Escudero has big boots to fill, with Romane Ménager ruled out through injury alongside lock Madoussou Fall.
Pacey centre pairing Gabrielle Vernier and Marine Ménager keep their place in the France line up from Les Bleues’ World Cup semi-final and third-place play-off, albeit with Ménager swapping from the wing.
Caroline Boujard steps up in her place with fellow experienced back three star Cyrielle Banet featuring on the other wing.
Ortiz said: “This first match launches our new cycle, for the players and the staff, and we can’t wait to be there.
“During our preparation, we emphasized defence, set-piece and taking the initiative.
“These three aspects of the game will allow us to assess our performance against an Italian team who are always difficult to play at home.”
France team to play Italy: 15. Émilie Boulard, 14. Cyrielle Banet, 13. Marine Ménager, 12. Gabrielle Vernier, 11. Caroline Boujard, 10. Carla Arbez, 9. Pauline Bourdon; 1. Annaëlle Deshaye, 2. Agathe Sochat, 3. Assia Khalfaoui, 4. Manaé Feleu, 5. Audrey Forlani (c), 6. Axelle Berthoumieu, 7. Emeline Gros, 8. Charlotte Escudero
Replacements: 16. Célia Domain, 17. Coco Lindelauf, 18. Rose Bernadou, 19. Maëlle Picut, 20. Gaëlle Hermet, 21. Alexandra Chambon, 22. Jessy Trémoulière, 23. Marie Dupouy
