The Italy coach Nick Mallett has named an unchanged side for their Six Nations match against France in Paris on Sunday.

The Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni has shaken off a muscle strain and wing Andrea Masi also kept his place in the side named today despite suffering from a stiff neck. Pablo Canavosio, who scored the winning try against Scotland last month, is on the bench again.

Mallett's team have never defeated France in the Six Nations, and their opponents go into Sunday's match unbeaten and on course for a grand slam.

Italy team to face France at Stade de France, 14 March McLean; Masi, Canale, Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco; Gower, Tebaldi; Perugini, Ghiraldini (capt), Castrogiovanni. Bortolami, Geldenhuys, Zanni, Mauro Bergamasco, Sole. Replacements Ongaro, Aguero, Del Fava, Derbyshire, Canavosio, Bocchino, Robertson.