Saint-Andre orders Gallic pride for Six Nations Italy test

National pride and fighting spirit should be on the menu when stuttering France face Italy in a Six Nations clash that could also serve as a World Cup rehearsal, hopes Les Bleus coach Philippe Saint-Andre.
Saint-Andre was furious with his side following a disappointing 20-13 defeat to Wales in Paris two weeks ago and has made a total of eight changes for Sunday's clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Although four of those changes are injury-enforced, the others are designed to help France avoid suffering their third consecutive defeat of the tournament having also lost 18-11 to Ireland in Dublin.
After defeat to Wales effectively killed off France's title hopes, Saint-Andre blasted his side for not living up to their hype and "hiding behind a smokescreen".
"I've been covering for them for three years. The France jersey should bring out your best, you should be a gladiator," he said.
His call to arms arrives in timely fashion.
Despite Italy's comparative lack of Six Nations success, Jacques Brunel's men have at least two reasons to believe they can cause an upset.
On France's last visit to the Italian capital, in 2013, the Azzurri stunned Les Bleus 23-18 to extinguish any hopes they had of aiming for the Grand Slam.
And while Italy, along with Scotland, are candidates for the dreaded wooden spoon, Brunel's men are on a high having returned from Murrayfield with a morale-boosting win two weeks ago.
Andrea Masi, with 89 caps to his name, and Leonardo Sarto, who sat out the 22-19 win in Edinburgh, return to the inside centre and right wing positions respectively for Italy, while Fijian-born flanker Samuela Vunisa replaces injured Simone Favaro for only his second start of the campaign.
Elsewhere, Brunel has kept faith with the half-back partnership of Kelly Haimona and Edoardo Gori for the fourth consecutive game of the tournament.
Captain and No 8 Sergio Parisse will claim a record 112th cap for Italy, overtaking Marco Bortolami's current record of 111 as Italy go in search of only their fourth win in 36 games against the French.
Although Brunel has underlined the unpredictability and defensive strength of France, the former Perpignan handler also highlighted the positives of Italy's performance in the Scottish capital.
"I was happy with what the three-quarters did against Scotland, breaking the gainline and their work down the wings," said Brunel.
Brunel added: "We can score from anywhere on the pitch, but we have to be careful, France are pretty much the best defenders of the Six Nations with just two tries scored against them.
"There's a bit more confidence for us and a little less for them, but they remain favourites all the same."
France, who will face both Ireland and Italy in Pool D of the World Cup later this year, will be expected to make amends for their Stadio Olimpico defeat two years ago.
A solid performance will be crucial if Saint-Andre's men are to harbour any hopes of beating England at Twickenham in their final game on March 21, according to experienced prop Nicolas Mas.
Mas, who missed the Wales game, returns to the pack in place of Rabah Slimani, who drops to the bench, to claim what will be his 77th cap.
"All of us, even those who started the three matches, are hungry. We want to show that we deserve much more," said Mas.
"Now I have my chance, I have to give it everything.
"But we have to think about the team above all, we need to build confidence. Even if we can't win the tournament (Italy and England) are two important matches."
Saint-Andre also dropped No.8 Damien Chouly and lock Romain Taofifenua, who are replaced respectively by Loann Goujon and Alexandre Flanquart.
Elsewhere, Saint-Andre keeps faith with Camille Lopez at fly-half, but wing Noa Nakaitaci makes his debut in place of the injured Sofiane Guitoun, while at centre, the untried pairing of Maxime Mermoz and 20-year-old Gael Fickou replace Remi Lamerat and Wesley Fofana, both ruled out through injury.
At full back, Scott Spededing returns in place of Brice Dulin after the latter's ineffectual display in Paris.
Source: AFP