Predicted: France to roll out their big guns against Italy

France head into the 2022 Six Nations as favourites as they kick off their campaign at the Stade de France against Italy on Sunday. 

Earlier this week, Fabien Galthié welcomed the return of 14 players including captain Antoine Dupont in a major boost ahead of the competition while he did lose the services of winger Teddy Thomas.

The France players who were recalled:

Uini ATONIO
Cyril BAILLE 
Gaëtan BARLOT
Paul BOUDEHENT 
François CROS 
Anthony JELONCH
Bernard LE ROUX
Antoine DUPONT
Jules FAVRE 
Matthieu JALIBERT
Matthis LEBEL
Romain NTAMACK
Donovan TAOFIFÉNUA
Tani VILI

While France are in a far better position, on the player availability front, than they were a week ago they are still without star flanker Charles Ollivon.

However, Galthié now has a nearly fully fit squad ahead of the opening game of their tournament. The French are set to roll out their big guns against Italy as several players regain their fitness on the pitch after self-isolating.

In the front row it is unlikely that Cyril Baille will lose his starting role at loosehead prop while Julien Marchand returns having missed the November internationals. Uini Atonio and Demba Bamba have been in fine form this season and could replace Mohamed Haouas in the starting lineup.

In the engine room, Bernard Le Roux has been tipped to return to the starting XV alongside Paul Willemse with Cameron Woki shifting back into the loose trio. Woki could line up in the #7 jersey with Gregory Alldritt at no.8. The final position in the loose trio is likely to be Anthony Jelonch or Francois Cros (both from Toulouse).

Although Matthieu Jalibert has returned to the squad, he is most likely to take a place on the bench with Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack starting at 9 and 10 retaining their roles from the win over New Zealand.

Gael Fickou is bound to start in the centres with Virimi Vakatawa and Jonathan Danty fighting it out to be his centre partner. 

The outside backs from the win over the All Blacks are unlikely to change with Gabin Villiere and Damian Penaud on the wings and Melvyn Jaminet, the side's place kicker, at fullback.

Predicted France team to face Italy:

1. Cyril Baille
2. Julien Marchand
3. Mohamed Haouas

4. Bernard Le Roux
5. Paul Willemse
6. Anthony Jelonch
7. Cameron Woki
8. Gregory Alldritt
9. Antoine Dupont (c)
10. Romain Ntamack
11. Gabin Villière
12. Gael Fickou
13. Virimi Vakatawa
14. Damian Penaud
15. Melvyn Jaminet

Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Matthieu Jalibert, Jonathan Danty.