France named unchanged side

France will stick with the side that beat Ireland for their final RBS 6 Nations game against Italy at the Stadio Flamini on Saturday.

Coach Bernard Laporte today named the same starting XV from the 26-19 win over Ireland as he continues his policy of using the tournament to blood young players.

“The team that defeated Ireland gave us a lot of satisfaction and there was no reason to change it ahead of our last match in Rome,” said Laporte.

“It’s great to watch the development of the young players such as Julien Laharrague, Julien Bonnaire, Nicolas Mas, Sebastien Bruno and Benoit Baby.

“There is a great atmosphere between them all. It has been a success to have given them a chance to play at international level.”

There could be an enforced change to the French side, however, if Baby is suspended after being cited for an alleged headbutt on Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll at Lansdowne Road.

His case will be heard in London tomorrow but the centre has received the support of Laporte.

The coach said: “Benoit is a very humble person, this is actually one of his top qualities.”

France team to play Italy in the RBS 6 Nations at the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday:

J Laharrague (Brive); C Dominici (Stade Francais), B Baby (Toulouse), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), C Heymans (Toulouse); Y Delaigue (Castres), D Yachvili (Biarritz); S Marconnet (Stade Francais), S Bruno (Sale), N Mas (Perpignan), F Pelous (Toulouse, capt), J Thion (Biarritz), S Betsen (Biarritz), J Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Y Nyanga (Beziers).

Replacements: D Marty (Perpignan), F Michalak (Toulouse), P Mignoni (Clermont); W Servat (Toulouse), P De Villiers (Stade Francais), P Pape (Bourgoin), G Lamboley (Toulouse).