France skipper wary of Italy
January 31, 2012 14:23:35 UK
France captain Thierry Dusautoir has insisted his side will not be taking the Italians lightly as they prepare for their opening clash of the Six Nations on Saturday.
France preparing for clash with Italy.Les Bleus managed to reach the final of the World Cup in New Zealand last year and are the favourites to win the upcoming tournament at 1213.00.
Dusautoir led his side to the World Cup final despite the fallout with then head coach Marc Lievremont, who has since been replaced by former Gloucester boss Phillipe Saint-Andre.
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France suffered a shock defeat at the hands the Azzurri in Rome last season and Dusautoir is determined to avoid the upset this time around in Paris.
He said: "Italy lost to Australia at the World Cup (in the pool stage) but were on level terms at half-time against a team who scored 60 points against us the year before.
"This is not the Italy of a few years ago. Last year we lost to them but it was only logical after the progress they have made.
"We are going to approach this match knowing how important it is to win the first game, and for a win in Paris in front of our supporters."
France side to face Italy:
M Medard (Toulouse); V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), D Yachvili (Biarritz); V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), W Servat (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), L Nallet (Racing Metro), T Dusautoir (capt, Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), L Picamoles (Toulouse)
Replacements: D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), J-B Poux (Toulouse), Y Maestri (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), L Beauxis (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan)
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