Six Nations

Six Nations

Italy v France

Kick-off 3pm

Jill Douglas is joined by Brian O'Driscoll, Maggie Alphonsi and Benjamin Kayser for live coverage of Italy's opening Guinness Six Nations match against last year's Grand Slam champions, France.

Gabin Villiere scored a hat-trick as France beat Italy 37-10 in Paris to open their 2022 Six Nations campaign with a win, but this year's Rugby World Cup hosts are going up against an Italy side who picked up some notable wins last year after beating Wales and Australia.

It has been ten years since The Azzurri last beat France, and Fabien Galthie's side head to Rome in formidable form having won their last 13 tests and Les Blues will be eager to extend that record in what is a huge year for French rugby.

Tournament overview

A star-studded line-up of on-screen talent and key matches feature in ITV’s live coverage of the Guinness Six Nations Championship 2023, kicking off with the Calcutta Cup between England and Scotland at Twickenham.

Kicking off a massive year of rugby union on ITV - with the Rugby World Cup to be exclusively screened on ITV1 and ITVX in the Autumn - the channel will show ten live matches throughout the six weeks of the Six Nations.

They include mouth-watering clashes including the tournament finale Ireland v England at the Aviva Stadium, England v France on March 11, and a clash of the pre-championship favourites Ireland v France on Feb 11.

This year's tournament marks the latest in a deal between ITV and the BBC that sees Six Nations matches shared between both broadcasters on television and online with ITV's matches aired on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.

Leading ITV’s team will be presenters Mark Pougatch and Jill Douglas, joined by Jonny Wilkinson and Lawrence Dallaglio, members of England’s victorious Rugby World Cup 2003 team, along with their coach Sir Clive Woodward, England Women World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, fellow former Irish skipper Rory Best, former Wales captain Gareth Thomas, Welsh legend Jamie Roberts, former Scotland and Lions coach Sir Ian McGeechan, former Scottish international Jim Hamilton, Australia's most-capped player George Gregan, and former French forward Benjamin Kayser.

Martin Bayfield will combine presenting duties with his role as reporter, alongside reporter Gabriel Clarke. Joining them with a wealth of experience in the commentary box will be Nick Mullins and Miles Harrison, plus co-commentators Shane Williams, Gordon D’Arcy, Ben Kay, Scott Hastings, David Flatman and Danielle Waterman.

Every match will be simulcast live on ITVX, and our responsively designed Six Nations site – itv.com/six-nations – will help bring the tournament to life with all the latest news and highlights of all games.