Why are France playing in their away kit against Italy and does home rugby team always change strips?

FRANCE face Italy as they look for their first Six Nations victory this campaign.

And Les Bleus are playing in white, while the Italians wear their traditional blue kit.

Why are France playing in white and does the home team always change kit in rugby?

France are playing in white because of the colour clash with Italy.

But unlike in football, it is customary that the home team changes strip in the event of a clash.

This is for reasons of etiquette, as well as practicality.

Traditionally it was considered good manners for the home team to offer to change, and the hosts were also more likely to have access to an alternative kit, in contrast to the travelling visitors.

Scotland also changed their kit from blue to white when they hosted France and Italy will change when they host Scotland.

But interestingly, while the home team changes in the Six Nations, in top flight club rugby it is the away team who switches colours.