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Scrum-half Paul Griffen has recovered from a rib injury, enabling Italy coach Nick Mallett to name an unchanged side for their final Six Nations game against France on Saturday.

Mallett has stuck with the lineup that produced their best display so far this year in losing 20-15 to champions Wales last weekend for the match at Rome's Stadio Flaminio.

Italy will be looking for a first Six Nations win over France but even that would be unlikely to save them from the wooden spoon after they lost their first three games to England, Ireland and Scotland heavily.

Griffen said the Azzurri would be aiming to be more ruthless in attack after scoring only one try in the tournament so far.

"We had four good opportunities to score tries against Wales (that we didn't take)," he said. "It comes down to being a bit more cynical, putting a little polish on the work we're doing.

"We want to finish on a high and that means going across the chalk. Hopefully we can break off the shackles and finish some of those moves we know we can do."

The French will have a point to prove on Saturday after last week's 34-10 thrashing in England.

"They'll try to react in a positive way to what was uncovered last weekend," Griffen said.

"Our main goal is to try and nullify as much as we can, especially their counter-attacks. Hopefully we'll be able to suck up whatever the French bring and spit it back at them."

Team: 15-Andrea Marcato, 14-Giulio Rubini, 13-Gonzalo Canale, 12-Mirco Bergamasco, 11-Matteo Pratichetti, 10-Luke McLean, 9-Paul Griffen; 8-Sergio Parisse (captain), 7-Mauro Bergamasco, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Marco Bortolami, 4-Santiago Dellape, 3-Carlos Nieto, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1-Salvatore Perugini

Replacements: 16-Franco Sbaraglini, 17-Martin Castrogiovanni, 18-Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19-Josh Sole, 20-Pablo Canavosio, 21-Luciano Orquera, 22-Roberto Quartaroli

Reuters