Youth ready for Italy challenge, says French newboy Bezy

Debutant Sebastien Bezy insists France's new, young players have enough experience to cope with their Six Nations opener against Italy on Saturday. The Toulouse scrum-half is one of four new faces in the French starting XV, with another three on the bench for the Azzurri's visit to the Stade de France. But despite making his international bow alongside Fiji-born wing Virimi Vakatawa, centre Jonathan Danty and lock Paul Jedrasiak, Bezy believes all four have played enough top level rugby not to be phased by the Six Nations. "Yes, there are a few young players but we're old enough to take things in our own hands and not fret about all this," said the 24-year-old. "However, you mustn't put too much pressure on our shoulders so that we don't become afraid to play, that would be no good." New France coach Guy Noves picked just six players in his 23-man matchday squad from France's last international, a humiliating 62-13 World Cup quarter-final mauling at the hands of New Zealand. And the former Toulouse coach believes the debutants and young players -- nine of the 23 players are aged 24 or under -- need to be given this opportunity to prove themselves. "We've held out our hand, now it's up to them to take their chance. I hope they realise that they've been given a great responsibility," said Noves. However, the coach insisted he wasn't taking a risk with a youthful line-up just because they're playing Italy, who many expect to finish bottom of the pile this year. "People always tend to say it's not as hard as against the other countries, but if you look up close, they're able to match anyone, to win anywhere," he said of the team led by enigmatic Stade Francais No.8 Sergio Parisse. "We cannot afford the slightest let up, they're very solid with very strong foundations."