Lo Cicero fired up ahead of France test

Italy prop Andrea Lo Cicero is relishing the prospect of taking on France in Rome on Saturday.

Lo Cicero will start against Les Bleus in the RBS 6 Nations clash at the Stadio Flaminio where he will face some of his Racing Metro team-mates.

The encounter will also mark Lo Cicero’s 85th appearance for the national team, making him the most capped player still competing for the Azzurri.

“I have been here for over 10 years and always and only to do my job whether I play for 80 minutes or just one minute,” Lo Cicero said.

“France are difficult opponents but it’s good fun to face them.”

Italy head into the encounter still without a win in the tournament this year and having never beaten France.

The Azzurri lost at home to Wales 24-16 last time out having previously been trounced 59-13 by England at Twickenham.

Nick Mallett’s men were beaten 13-11 by Ireland in their Six Nations opener.

“We cannot be conditioned by our previous results but think only of playing a beautiful game,” Lo Cicero said.

France travel to the Eternal City looking to bounce back from their 17-9 defeat to England last month.

The setback was their first in the competition after wins against Scotland and at Ireland.

Lo Cicero is not the only Italian who plays his rugby in France, with Italy hooker Carlo Festuccia also on the books of Racing Metro.

Festuccia, who will earn his 50th cap on Saturday, said: “I know these players well.

“I face them every week and I know their quality and what they are capable of.

“France will come to Rome ready to respond to all the criticism they have received this week from the French media and their fans following their defeat to England at Twickenham.

“They will bring out their best against us.

“And if we give them a chance, they will counter-attack from their own half.

“We can expect a big battle, especially from a physical standpoint.”

Lo Cicero and Festuccia have been included in the starting XV and are among the seven changes made by Mallett from the team that lost to Wales.

Mallett has included eight players in his starting XV that play their club rugby in France.

Racing Metro star Andrea Masi replaces Luke McLean at full-back, while Benetton Treviso’s Gonzalo Garcia makes a first start after missing most of the last 12 months through injury.

Tommaso Benvenuti earns his first start in the tournament on the right wing.