France field experimental side

There was an experimental feel to France’s team for their 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Italy at a sun-kissed Stadio Flaminio today.

With the World Cup in mind, and a clutch of regulars including captain Fabien Pelous and fly-half Frederic Michalak out injured, head coach Bernard Laporte opted to give some of his squad’s fringe players a chance to impress as the holders launched their title defence.

The new-look half-back partnership of Pierre Mignoni and David Skrela were among those looking to make the most of their returns to the Les Bleus side.

Italy, coached by former France player and boss Pierre Berbizier, went into the tournament hoping to avoid the wooden spoon for a sixth time in eight years.

Berbizier had tinkered with his backs in his team selection, preferring Andrea Scanavacca to Ramiro Pez at number 10 and selecting a reliable kicker in Roland De Marigny at full-back instead of the injured David Bortolussi.

Both sides would have been looking for a better start than they made to last year’s Six Nations – in the opening round of matches in 2006, France lost to Scotland and the Azzurri went down to Ireland.