France are rolling through the motions elegantly.

That opening try is the early shot of confidence they needed and Italy concede the penalty for hands in at the breakdown.

Time for a shot at the three...

It's a glorious day in Rome.

The sun is shining and conditions are perfect for the start of the tournament.

Italy have set their stall out early on as Juan Ignacio Brex glides through the blue wall to make valuable yards.

The ball is turned over in the ruck and France can relieve pressure, but positive early signs for the hosts.

As always, you can have your say on proceedings by Tweeting #bbcrugby or by sending a text to 81111 (UK only).

We'll be sharing your best comments throughout the afternoon!

Just an injury update to bring you.

Daniele Rimpelli has replaced Cherif Traore in the front row for Italy after the latter suffered a hamstring injury in training yesterday.

The 2021 Six Nations is up and running...

The players are usually drowned out by the supporters during the pre-game anthems, but they did well to make up for it with a couple of lung-bursting performances.

BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

You can also listen to live audio commentary of this one over on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra.

Just click on the link at the top of the page.

Happy listening!

The players have made their way out onto the field and we're all set for the 2021 Six Nations to begin.

But first, let's hear the anthems!

Right then, before this year's action kicks off, let's refresh our memories with some of the best bits from last time around.

There's a few crackers in this selection... Enjoy!

Italy have been whitewashed in each of the last five Six Nations.

Can they end their wait for that elusive victory today?

Eddie Butler
BBC Sport rugby commentator

So very much is expected of France… it must be hard to protect their ears from the songs of praise about how brilliant they are soon going to be.

Always sweeter, of course, than the sounds of 'rubbish', but perhaps praise can come before a fall.

There's no Romain Ntamack and no Virimi Vakatawa coming at an angle on to his number 10's short passes.

It might be more difficult than it appears. But France are too good not to find a way to see off an Italian team young enough to be their children. France to win, but maybe not in the grand manner. Italy 18 France 26.

Image source, Getty Images

France will be aiming to go one better than last year's second-place finish.

Les Bleus finished behind champions England on points difference and were also runners-up to Eddie Jones' side in the Autumn Nations Cup.

They start as strong favourites to inflict a 28th consecutive Six Nations defeat on Italy.

Meanwhile, Italy head coach Franco Smith is still looking for his first win.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy: Trulla; Sperandio, Zanon, Brex, Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Traore, Bigi (capt), Riccioni; Lazzaroni, Sisi; Negri, Meyer, Lamaro

Replacements: Lucchesi, Fischetti, Zilocchi, Cannone, Ruzza, Mbanda, Palazzani, Canna

France: Dulin; Thomas, Vincent, Fickou, Villiere; Jalibert, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Haouas; Le Roux Willemse; Cretin, Ollivon (capt), Alldritt

Replacements: Bourgarit, Gros, Aldeghiri, Taofifenua, Jeronch, Serin, Carbonel, Penaud

Italy have named a youthful squad with 10 of the starting XV having fewer than 10 caps.

Gloucester's Stephen Varney, 19, who chose Italy over Wales as he qualifies through his mother, starts at scrum-half.

Paolo Garbisi, 20, who has held the number 10 shirt since the resumption of international rugby in October, will join Varney in a youthful half-back pairing.

Matthieu Jalibert starts at fly-half for France in the absence of last season's Six Nations leading points scorer Romain Ntamack, who is recovering from a double jaw fracture.

Jalibert will link up with 2020 player of the tournament Antoine Dupont at half-back, while Arthur Vincent starts at outside centre in the absence of powerful runner Virimi Vakatawa.

We'll have the full line-ups next...

Image source, Getty Images

On the first weekend of February, the excitement around Europe reaches boiling point...

The pubs open their doors with anticipation, long-sleeved shirts come out of the wardrobe and thousands descend on six stunning capital cities!

2021 will be a bit different, of course.

Hospitality venues will be empty and the streets deserted, but the character of the Six Nations remains and we're all set for another thrilling tournament!

It all starts in the Eternal City, so stay tuned for live text updates as Italy and France get their campaigns under way...

Image source, Getty Images