The China Mail - Defence the priority for France against Italy, says Dupont

Although France have romped to convincing victories over Ireland and Wales in their first two tournament matches, they have conceded two tries in each when defending close to their own line.

"There are many areas where we need to improve, but if there is one area to prioritise that would be our defence close to our line, where we have conceded tries quite easily," said Dupont, although he acknowledged that France were well ahead in both matches when they did so.

"We need to be tougher in those zones because those are moments that count and we know that Italy are very strong in the scoring zone, so we have to face up in that area."

France cantered to a 73-24 victory in Rome last year but two years ago, they were held to a 13-13 draw by Italy in the same Pierre Mauroy stadium in Lille where Sunday's match will be played.

Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi even hit the post with the last kick of the match from a penalty that could have given the Azzurri a first Six Nations victory away to France.

Italy have been highly competitive in their two tournament matches this year, beating Scotland 18-15 before losing 20-13 to Ireland in Dublin.

"Italy don't stop progressing, they don't stop surprising, and I think we should stop talking about surprise because they have been getting great results, playing great matches, for several years now," added Dupont.

"They didn't necessarily win but they have always played with great power and made life difficult for everyone they've come up against."

Dupont, who is widely regarded as the best player in the world, did not play in the draw two years ago as he was training with the French Sevens team that went on to win Olympic gold on home soil in the summer of 2024.

It was also the first Six Nations tournament since France's bitterly disappointing quarter-final exit from their home World Cup.

"We were in a completely different dynamic two years ago, even if I wasn't there. It was post-World Cup, the emotional and physical state of the players was completely different then," he said.

P.Ho--ThChM