As the Azzurri prepare to face the formidable French side in the 2026 Men’s Six Nations, fans are eager to catch the action live. The match will take place on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, kicking off at 3:10 PM GMT (4:10 PM CET, 10:10 AM ET). For those wondering about viewing options, there are several free streaming services available.
Fans in the United Kingdom can tune in to the match on ITV1 or the ITVX streaming service. Coverage begins at 2:20 PM GMT, but viewers must hold a current TV Licence to watch live. In Ireland, RTÉ Player offers a free streaming option, with coverage starting at 2:30 PM GMT on RTÉ2. For viewers in France, the match can be streamed for free on France 2 and the France TV streaming service, starting at 3:35 PM CET.
all Italy matches in this season’s Men’s Six Nations are available for free via TV8 in Italy. These options create it easier for supporters across Europe to witness the showdown between France and Italy.
How to Watch France vs. Italy Live
For those traveling abroad or unable to access the local streams, using a VPN can help bypass geo-blocking restrictions. NordVPN, for example, is highly recommended and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, making it a risk-free option for viewers wishing to access their home country’s broadcasts from abroad.
International Streaming Options
If you’re outside of Europe, there are various subscription services available:
- United States: NBC’s Peacock Premium is the go-to option for streaming all Men’s Six Nations matches, including France vs. Italy, for $10.99 per month.
- South Africa: SuperSport provides coverage via DStv and streaming services, with the match starting at 5:10 PM SAST.
- Australia: Viewers can subscribe to Stan Sport for $20 per month, in addition to a base plan, with kick-off at 2:10 AM AEDT on Monday morning.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport offers coverage for $54.99 per month, with the match commencing at 4:10 AM NZDT on Monday.
Match Preview
France comes into the match with a strong performance record, having secured emphatic victories against Ireland and Wales in their opening matches. Under the guidance of coach Fabien Galthié, the French team has maintained a powerful momentum, notably from their previous encounter with Italy, which ended in a substantial 73-24 victory last year. This context sets a high bar for Italy, who will seek to improve upon their previous results, including a narrow near-victory against Ireland earlier in the tournament.
Team Lineups
Both teams have made strategic adjustments to their lineups ahead of the match:
France:
- 15. Thomas Ramos
- 14. Théo Attissogbe
- 13. Émilien Gailleton
- 12. Fabien Brau-Boirie
- 11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- 10. Matthieu Jalibert
- 9. Antoine Dupont (captain)
- 1. Jean-Baptiste Gros
- 2. Julien Marchand
- 3. Dorian Aldegheri
- 4. Thibaud Flament
- 5. Emmanuel Meafou
- 6. François Cros
- 7. Oscar Jegou
- 8. Anthony Jelonch
- Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Georges-Henri Colombe, Charles Ollivon, Mickaël Guillard, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Pierre-Louis Barassi
Italy:
- 15. Ange Capuozzo
- 14. Louis Lynagh
- 13. Tommaso Menoncello
- 12. Leonardo Marin
- 11. Monty Ioane
- 10. Paolo Garbisi
- 9. Alessandro Fusco
- 1. Danilo Fischetti
- 2. Giacomo Nicotera
- 3. Simone Ferrari
- 4. Niccolò Cannone
- 5. Andrea Zambonin
- 6. Michele Lamaro (captain)
- 7. Manuel Zuliani
- 8. Lorenzo Cannone
- Replacements: Pablo Dimcheff, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosuè Zilocchi, Federico Ruzza, Riccardo Favretto, David Odiase, Alessandro Garbisi, Paolo Odogwu
As the teams gear up for this exciting encounter, fans can expect a fiercely competitive match. The stakes are high for Italy, while France aims to continue their push for the Grand Slam. Be sure to catch all the action live and share your thoughts on social media!
