England vs Italy LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction to first win of Steve Borthwick era
Steve Borthwick’s side outclassed the Azzurri to earn their first win of the new era at Twickenham
England delivered a performance of ruthless efficiency and forward power to overwhelm Italy 31-14 on Sunday for a five-try bonus-point victory that got their Six Nations campaign back on track after last week’s defeat by Scotland.
The hosts might not have matched the sparkling rugby seen in Saturday’s two matches but Italy could not live with their pack strength, particularly a seemingly unstoppable rolling maul, following coach Steve Borthwick’s promise to get back to basics.
Having won only one of their last six games at Twickenham, the home fans were not about to start complaining about style, though Borthwick’s decision to mix up his midfield looked a good one as man of the match Ollie Lawrence brought much-needed pace and intensity to the inside centre channel.
First-half tries for Jack Willis, Ollie Chessum and Jamie George put England 19-0 up at halftime. A penalty try earned the bonus point and though Italy crossed twice in a more evenly-balanced second half, England finished strongly with a crowd-pleasing finish by exciting replacement winger Henry Arundell.
Their 30th win in 30 meetings with Italy continued England’s stranglehold on the fixture and maintained their position as the only team never to have lost to the Italians since they joined the competition in 2000.
England 26-7 Italy, 60 minutes
England swap their nines, with Alex Mitchell winning his second cap in the place of Jack van Poortvliet, with an increasingly loose game likely to suit the Northampton scrum-half’s skillset.
Italy are restored to full complement with the return of Simone Ferrari from the sin bin, with Luca Bigi on at hooker too.
England 26-7 Italy, 59 minutes
Close to a solo spectacular from Ollie Lawrence! Henry Slade compared the centre to Manu Tuilagi on Friday and that was reminiscent of Tuilagi in his pomp, Lawrence running right over the top of Tommaso Allan and then powering effortlessly away as he eases up through the gears.
Lawrence fends at the last defender and seems, briefly, to have escaped his clutches, but loses control of the ball, falling to floor unable to get an offload away as it slips through his hands.
England 26-7 Italy, 59 minutes
“Well played Maro!” is the cry of Owen Farrell as his Saracens teammate earns England a penalty after the two teams trade turnovers.
England 26-7 Italy, 57 minutes
A free kick to Italy allows the visitors to punt up towards halfway, but both sides will set again for a scrum after an Italian knock on in the air.
That allows a chance for Italy to make a change, and here is another welcome returnee to international rugby: Jake Polledri really has been through the mill over the last couple of years, but at his best is a real asset to this Italian side. He is on for Lorenzo Cannone.
England 26-7 Italy, 55 minutes
Two more changes for England and another sizeable roar - this time it is for the arrival of Henry Arundell, making his Six Nations bow after a couple of carbonated cameos in Australia last summer. Mako Vunipola is on, too - Ellis Genge and Ollie Hassell-Collins go off.
An England knock on necessitates the reintroduction of Marco Riccioni to fulfil Italy’s duties on the tighthead. Federico Zani joins him in trotting across from the touchline, with Danilo Fischetti taken off.
England 26-7 Italy, 54 minutes
Pierre Bruno’s eyes light up as he spies a flat, floating pass and shoots out the line, but the Italian replacement wing can’t quite reach his hands out to snatch it.
Max Malins has space to run into and toes ahead wisely as cover comes across, but Juan Ignacio Brex pivots swiftly and beats Malins to the bouncing ball. Italy’s clearance is half charged down - it’ll ne their lineout throw just inside the 22.
England 26-7 Italy, 53 minutes
A great ovation from the home crowd as England make a change before Italy’s lineout: Jack Willis takes leave after an uber-impressive showing, with Ben Earl on in the back row.
Italy execute their lineout drill and clear up towards halfway.
England 26-7 Italy, 52 minutes
That won’t help Italy - a lineout error to gift England possesion inside their own half. Owen Farrell produces a delightful, driven kick beyond Stephen Varney, finding the corner perfectly.
PENALTY TRY! ENGLAND 26-7 Italy (51 minutes)
The maul produces again for England - and this time it is a penalty try!
Simone Ferrari has not been with us long, but off he goes to take a seat again after being shown yellow. A side entry and collapse from the replacement prop as England’s drive moved inexorably towards the Italian line again, and James Doleman trots beneath the posts on instruction from his assistant Tual Trainini.
A fourth score overall gives England a bonus point and should quell Italy’s brief fightback.
England 19-7 Italy, 49 minutes
England get joy from the jackal - first winning a turnover near halfway and then Alex Dombrandt earning a penalty in the Italian 22 after Edoardo Padovani had been isolated after collecting a kick.
Both of England’s props need treatment: Kyle Sinckler’s nose is bloodied and bruised, while Ellis Genge was munched in an attempted tackle on Sebastian Negri. Genge smiles at the Italian flanker, ready to continue, but Sinckler will depart for further attention. Dan Cole on in his place as England kick to the corner...
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