Ethan Dumortier handed France debut as Tommaso Allan starts for Italy

Ethan Dumortier will make his debut for France when they begin their Six Nations title defence against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Lyon wing Dumortier comes in for Gabin Villiere, who has been ruled out of the entire championship with a fractured fibula, with Yoram Moefana moving into midfield in place of the injured Jonathan Danty.

Toulouse duo Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are the half-back combination while Thomas Ramos is named at full-back at the expense of Melvyn Jaminet, who does not feature in the 23-man squad.

"We finished second twice in a row before winning it with a Grand Slam [last year] but our journey is not finished," said France head coach Fabien Galthié, who has named six forwards on his bench for the trip to Stadio Olimpico.

France welcomed Bernard Laporte into their training camp this week. The 58-year-old resigned as president of the French Rugby Federation last month after being convicted of influence peddling and illegally acquiring assets.

"Our mission is a purely sporting one. Last night we invited Bernard, because if France organise the World Cup, it's thanks to him," general manager Raphael Ibanez said.

Italy, meanwhile, have named Tommaso Allan at out-half, with first-choice No 10 Paolo Garbisi still working his way back from a knee injury.

Harlequins playmaker Allan will be partnered by Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney, with Luca Morisi and Juan Ignacio Brex making up the midfield.

Livewire full-back Ange Capuozzo is part of a back three that also includes wings Pierre Bruno and Tommaso Menoncello.

The latter is one of nine Benetton players in the starting XV, including seven from the forward pack.

Italy claimed a first Six Nations win in seven years when they defeated Wales 22-21 in Cardiff in