Italy v France: visitors to avenge previous Six Nations defeat

There’s a Six Nations drinking game doing the rounds  at the moment and one forfeit is to drink every time a commentator says “it depends which France turn up”.

Quite frankly though, it shouldn’t matter which France makes the trip – the ball-tossing buccaneers or the sloppy, uninterested plodders – they will have more than enough to see off Italy.

France are massive 1/8 favourites to come out on top and it’s extremely difficult to see any other outcome than a comprehensive victory for the visitors.

If you can see an upset though, then there is at least some evidence that there’s a possibility for Italy produce a surprise at

Italy shocked France at home two years ago by sneaking a 22-21 victory in what is arguably their best ever result in the Six Nations.

Italy are a big 6/1 to inflict another defeat on France.

However, there are only two survivors from that defeat for the French – fullback Yoann Huget and flanker Thierry Dusautoir – and their last encounter saw France come out as comfortable 30-12 winners.

France have won 32 of their 34 previous games against Italy and each of their last three have come by at least 18 points.

Backing France to win with a 12-point handicap at 1/1 looks the best way of cashing in on this clash.