FRANCE COACH PHILIPPE Saint Andre has made eight changes to his team for Sunday’s meeting with Italy in Rome.

Les Bleus lost to Wales last time out in Paris and sit in fourth place in the Six Nations table, level on points with their host this weekend.

Only Yoann Huget and Camille Lopez remain from the backline that started against the Welsh. Clermont winger Noa Nakaitaci is named to make his debut on the left wing in place of the injured Sofiane Guitoune.

Scott Spedding returns to fullback and the centre spots given an exciting edge by the presence of Maxime Mermoz and Gael Fickou.

The remaining changes come at each row of the pack, Nicolas Mas replacing Rabha Slimani at tight-head, Alexandre Flanquart in for Romain Taofifenua at lock and Loann Goujon wearing number eight forcing Damien Chouly to join Mathieu Bastareaud among the replacements.

France (v Italy, Sunday 3pm)

15. Scott Spedding
14. Yoann Huget
13. Gael Fickou
12. Maxime Mermoz
11. Noa Nakaitaci
10. Camille Lopez
9. Sebastian Tillous-Borde

1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Nicolas mas
4. Alexandre Flanquart
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusatoir (Capt.)
7. Bernard LeRoux
8. Loann Goujon

Replacements:

16. Benjamin kayser
17. Rabha Slimani
18. Vincent Debaty
19.  Romain Taofifenua
20. Damien Chouly
21. Rory Kockott
22. Jules Plisson
23. Mathieu Bastareaud

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