Fabien Galthié, head coach of the French national rugby team (XV de France), expressed strong respect for their upcoming opponent, Italy, stating they are "an team that can win the Six Nations Tournament" and can defeat any top-10 global team. This sentiment was shared during a press conference on Friday, February 20th, where Galthié also announced the team's lineup for the match on Sunday, February 22nd, at Villeneuve-d’Ascq, notably featuring the return of the second-row duo Flament and Meafou. Galthié emphasized the importance of internal competition and player freshness, explaining tactical choices like the inclusion of these players and the potential for varied bench strategies, such as a 7-1 split, to maintain energy and combat effectiveness throughout the game. He also highlighted the strength and precision of the Italian scrum, noting the advantage of having multiple Toulouse players in the French pack who train together regularly.