Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

I called it wrong! I thought he got downward pressure but there wasn't. Desperately disappointing for Ollivon but a lifeline for Italy.

No he did not! He lost control of the ball over the line.

Wow, blink and you miss it!

Italy look to attack from the restart but a loose pass sees France pounce. Charles Ollivon gets it over, or has he?

Italy win another breakdown penalty, these are starting to tot up for France. This time Uini Atonio did not release the player he tackled.

The hosts point to the sticks and Tommaso Allan slots it!

France were hammering the Italian line but the hosts win a penalty as Paul Willemse played the ball on the floor of the breakdown.

Italy try and create some magic of their own but Tommaso Allan's pass hits the deck in a knock on, it's scrum time again! France come away with it and it takes a few tries for Stephen Varney to haul down Antoine Dupont.

A few phases later Ethan Dumortier is pinged at the breakdown and Italy can clear their lines once more.

It is a dream start for France and Italy will need to calm the waters to halt momentum in this match.

France have anther attacking platform and they form a maul from a line-out. Italy do well to defend it and Antoine Dupont is forced to play it wide. They are on the charge and this could be dangerous.

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

No team has ever won back-to-back Grand Slams since the France in 1998 and you can feel the desire to match that in this team. There's a steely-eyed intensity.

They have some big powerful men but they also play smart rugby.

It has been a steady start with France getting their exit from kick-off spot on. Italy had the first line-out which was executed with precision but there was a loose pass from Ange Capuozzo saw the French pick it up.

Thomas Ramos' pass to Damian Penaud did not go to hand and we have the first scrum. Huge opportunity blown there from France.

France come away with the ball from the scrum and the attack starts again.

Tommaso Allan gets us under way, here we go...

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Italy had an amazing end to the year last year, beating Wales and Australia and winning five games out of seven, which is incredible. They are a nation that is emerging again and they proved in Cardiff last year that they belong in this championship.

It's the hardest task to face France but Italy are at home. It's hard to go to Italy because everyone expects you to win by 40 points, but they give you nothing easily and will be competitive. But I expect France to pull clear after 60 minutes.

I think this French team can get scarily good. A very, very good team will have to play very, very well to stop France winning the World Cup.

The players are out at the Stadio Olimpico and the passion will flow through each of the anthems.

Italy captain Michele Lamaro's singing always brings the goosebumps, what a match this will be!

France will be the favourites in this match. They come into the game as defending champions and they have not been beaten in the tournament by Italy since 2013.

The statistics are against them but Italy have new vigour and, while it would be a shock if they won, it is not inconceivable for them to get a victory.

Italy will have to neutralise Antoine Dupont as he is the key to France's game plan and attack. They will also have to hit them hard in defence and puncture through. Italy have been guilty in the past of creating opportunities but not finishing them off, they must be clinical if they are to topple the French.

Image source, Getty Images

On the BBC's Rugby Union Daily podcast this week, Chris Jones asked Danny Care and John Barclay which player they would take from the other teams in the Six Nations.

In the end there wasn't much of a competition. Barclay said: "Scotland would take Dupont."

And Care added: "It's going to be a boring answer because I think every team would take Dupont."

He is one of the world's best so I doubt any team would decline having him.

Image source, Getty Images

There is always the battle off field before the clashes on the pitch when it comes to the press conferences. But both coaches this week have focused on their teams.

Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has said this game will be a test for full back Ange Capuozzo. The rising star will face many French players who know him well because he plays his club rugby in Toulouse.

"He has a big challenge this Six Nations, let's not hide from it," said Crowley. "He burst onto the scene last year and he has continued that form with Toulouse and now for this week the French players know him.

"But he works hard at his game, he's developing his game even further I think... Hopefully it's an opportunity for us to show how good he is. That will be great if he can."

And French coach Fabien Galthie added: “We believe that the journey is far from over. We will only get better, we will continue to make progress.

“Our team is still not fully mature in terms of test rugby, agewise, caps or experience. Whatever happens in the tournament results wise we will make progress.”

Image source, Getty Images

Want some more rugby this weekend?

Well you are in luck with Six Nations Rugby Special on BBC Two on from 6-7 GMT and Scrum V Six Nations Special on BBC Two Wales at the same time. More discussions and analysis to top off a smashing Six Nations opening weekend.

So whose day will it be? Will Ange Capuozzo once again be Italy's hero? Or will Antoine Dupont expertly manage France to a perfect start to their title defence?

Let us know your thoughts and get involved in the discussion! Tweet using #bbcrugby.

Wales lost at home to Ireland and Scotland won their third Calcutta Cup in a row. Check out our two reports to catch up on all the action:

• Wales 10-34 Ireland
• England 23-29 Scotland

We have also produced a whole host of features on yesterday's matches. You can read them all here:

• Matt Dawson column: Steve Borthwick has boxed himself in with Owen Farrell
• Scotland's bits and pieces cause Calcutta Cup sensation
• Welsh rugby in turmoil as Warren Gatland prepares for Scotland
• Farrell eyes improvement as Ireland pass first big test of the year

And here are some videos of the action:

Italy are without star fly-half Paolo Garbisi as he is injured and so Tommaso Allan comes into the side.

Ange Capuozzo, who has already written himself into Italian folklore with his heroics against Wales last year, starts at full back.

And it will be a proud day for the Cannone family as brothers Niccolo and Lorenzo start in the second and back row respectively.

For France, Ethan Dumortier will win his first cap on the wing with Gabin Villiere out injured.

Antoine Dupont captains the side again and has Romain Ntamack as his halfback partner.

There are also noticeable absences in Cameron Woki and Jonathan Danty who are both injured.

Image source, Getty Images

Here are how the teams line-up for this afternoon's encounter:

Italy: Ange Capuozzo; Pierre Bruno, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Tommaso Menoncello; Tommaso Allan, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Simone Ferrari, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (captain), Lorenzo Cannone

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Pietro Ceccarelli, Edoardo Iachizzi, Giovanni Pettinelli, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Edoardo Padovani

France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Ethan Dumortier; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (c); Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio, Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse, Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: Gaetan Barlot, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Thomas Lavault, Sekou Macalou, Nolann Le Garrec, Matthieu Jalibert