Franco Smith has made just one change to the Italy starting XV beaten by Wales on the opening weekend of the Guinness Six Nations for their clash against France in Paris.
The Azzurri were beaten 42-0 by defending champions Wales in Cardiff in Round 1 but Smith has largely kept faith with the team that started at Principality Stadium.
Jayden Hayward comes into the side at full-back for the visit to the Stade de France as Matteo Minozzi, who held the No.15 jersey against Wales, moves to the left wing.
That means there is no place in the matchday squad for Leonardo Sarto, who made his first international appearance in over two years in the defeat to Wales.
The only other changes to the matchday 23 see Federico Ruzza and Giulio Bisegni make the bench with Marco Lazzaroni, like Sarto, omitted from the squad to face Les Bleus.
Hayward joins Minozzi and Mattia Bellini in the back three while Luca Morisi and Carlo Canna continue their partnership in midfield for Smith’s second game in charge of Italy.
Tommaso Allan and Callum Braley also retain their places in the half-back roles.
Meanwhile, No. 8 Abraham Steyn is supported by Sebastian Negri and Jake Polledri behind a second row comprising of Alessandro Zanni and 21-year-old Niccolò Cannone.
The front row remains unchanged as Andrea Lovotti, skipper Luca Bigi and Giosuè Zilocchi look to get the Azzurri back to winning ways in the 2020 Guinness Six Nations.
Smith said: “The first match against Wales served as a lesson. We are now looking ahead, thanks to the work done this week.
“It will be a hard game on Sunday with a better understanding of our own means.”
Italy starting XV:
15. Jayden HAYWARD (Benetton Rugby, 24 caps) 14. Mattia BELLINI (Zebre Rugby Club, 23 caps) 13. Luca MORISI (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps) 12. Carlo CANNA (Zebre Rugby Club, 40 caps) 11. Matteo MINOZZI (Wasps Rugby, 17 caps) 10. Tommaso ALLAN (Benetton Rugby, 55 caps) 9. Callum BRALEY (Gloucester Rugby, 6 caps) 1. Andrea LOVOTTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 41 caps) 2. Luca BIGI (Zebre Rugby Club, 25 caps) 3. Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Zebre Rugby Club, 3 caps) 4. Alessandro ZANNI (Benetton Rugby, 118 caps) 5. Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 1) 6. Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 23 caps) 7. Jake POLLEDRI (Gloucester Rugby, 14 caps) 8. Abraham STEYN (Benetton Rugby, 37 caps)
Replacements:
16. Federico ZANI (Benetton Rugby 14 caps) 17. Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Rugby Club, 1) 18. Marco RICCIONI (Benetton Rugby, 8 caps) 19. Dean BUDD (Benetton Rugby, 27 caps) 20. Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps) 21. Giovanni LICATA (Zebre Rugby Club, 9 caps) 22. Guglielmo PALAZZANI (Zebre Rugby Club, 37 caps) 23. Giulio BISEGNI (Zebre Rugby Club, 14 caps)
