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 19-7 Italy, 48 minutes
Manuel Zuliani has grown superbly into this contest after his first half introduction in the place of Michele Lamaro. The replacement flanker locks over the ball to win a turnover penalty.
Another Italian change: Simone Ferrari on at tighthead for the Marco Riccioni. A pleasing return to Italian colours for the tighthead, despite some troubles at the scrum.
England 19-7 Italy, 47 minutes
Italy appear to get a march on at scrum time but the ball pops free from Lorenzo Cannone’s feet before his front row’s hard work can be rewarded, and England are on to it sharply through Jack van Poortvliet.
But a slightly aimless kick means they fail to capitalise, and Italy clear.
A change for the visitors - Pierre Bruno on for Luca Morisi, with Tommaso Menoncello shifting into midfield. He and Juan Ignacio Brex have combined nicely in the centres for Benneton this year.
England 19-7 Italy, 46 minutes
Handbags! Players from both sides pile in as Owen Farrell and Sebastian Negri spark a scrap with a grapple on the floor. Negri had properly levelled the England fly half and let him know about it, each man thrusting hands into the other’s face as they rolled about on the floor.
Nothing doing - Steve Borthwick is furious, but it will be an Italian scrum.
TRY! England 19-7 ITALY (Marco Riccioni try, 44 minutes)
There is that swift second half Italian score!
Stephen Varney had been taken high by Maro Itoje, granting Italy advantage that they waste little time in converting. Big Marco Riccioni stands in at scrum half, bounces out of Freddie Steward’s low tackle and then carries two more Englishmen to within reach of the line. A powerful place; Italy are on the board.
England 19-0 Italy, 43 minutes
And there’s the break! Lovely interplay from Italy and off goes Ange Capuozzo, snaking towards Freddie Steward, who isn’t charmed by those cobra hits and halts the full back.
But Italy build momentum...
England 19-0 Italy, 42 minutes
Seb Negri and Manuel Zuliani carry in a forthright manner, the replacement back row bouncing back to his feet to then rock back Maro Itoje two phases later. Juan Ignacio Brex steps in at first receiver, pulling back shrewdly to a looping player at the line as Italy threaten in possession for the first time in a long while.
England 19-0 Italy, 41 minutes
Here go Italy’s intrepid explores, the visitors playing twice out the back from the kick off to try and plot an uncharted course through England’s wide defence. They are hauled down, and do now clear...
But a well organised chase and jackal earn a penalty.
SECOND HALF
Owen Farrell kicks down into the Italian 22 annd we are back underway at Twickenham.
H/T: England 19-0 Italy
England’s bench options are out and about warming up in the interval, Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith tossing passes between one another as Henry Arundell tests his flashing feet with a scamper into the corner.
Italy are out early, ready to resume after some harsh half-time words - they kicked much more in the first half than last week against England, but now might be the time to go back to all-out attack to try and hit quickly. England’s psychological scarring has repeatedly showed in the last six months - a couple of swift Italian scores could just make this half more interesting...
H/T: England 19-0 Italy
Italy have probably been a little unfortunate about the nature of this game - the whistle of the referee and their scrum woes rather punctured any hope they had of building momentum or fluency in the first half. They will rue not making more of a five metre lineout on the left with England only a single score ahead, and it is a long, long way back from here - particularly with Michele Lamaro off permanently, it would seem, after suffering a leg injury and then departing for an HIA.
16 first half tackles for Jack Willis, by the way. All action stuff from the flanker.
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