Supporters have grown used to teams trying to undermine their opposition during the RBS Six Nations Championship this year by picking on one player’s perceived weakness, but it is surprising to hear an Italian attacking one of the French.
Sergio Parisse, the Italy captain and No 8, used his press conference before their game with France in Rome today to question why Sébastien Chabal had been preferred at the back of the France scrum to Imanol Harinordoquy. “It is better for us to play against Chabal than Harinordoquy,” he said.
Parisse said that Chabal, who was criticised for his performance against England in the previous round, in which he made only three tackles, was a more physical player, but Harinordoquy had the better all-round skills.
“Harinordoquy is a more complete player,” he said. “He is important in the lineout and good with the ball in hand.”
With eight of the Italy XV playing club rugby in France, including Parisse, who is at Stade Français, they know their opposite numbers well. “Those of us that play in France know better the mentality of our rivals and their way of playing, which could help us to anticipate their moves,” Parisse said.
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Italy have not beaten France since a friendly game in 1997 and their previous encounter in Rome was a 50-8 defeat, but Italy can be dangerous on home soil.
Nick Mallett has made seven changes to the side who lost 24-16 to Wales, with Andrea Masi, of Racing Métro, starting at full back for the first time in two years, Luciano Orquera given a chance to make amends for his performance against England at fly half and Gonzalo Garcia coming in at inside centre.
Martin Castrogiovanni, the Leicester prop, is the only member of the front row to be retained, with Andrea Lo Cicero and Carlo Festuccia joining him. Carlo Del Fava returns to the second row.
France have made four changes: Sylvain Marconnet replaces Thomas Domingo at loose-head prop, Julien Bonnaire pushes Harinordoquy on to the bench and Maxime Médard starts at full back in place of Clément Poitrenaud.
Médard was due to start there against England but pulled out with an injury and France have again had to weather a late withdrawal. Dimitri Yachvili, the scrum half, has pulled a thigh muscle and will be replaced by Morgan Parra.