Italy vs England LIVE: Six Nations rugby final score, result and reaction from Rome today
Follow latest updates from Rome as Eddie Jones’ side win their first game of the 2022 tournament
England showed the ruthless streak demanded by Eddie Jones as they atoned for their shattering collapse against Scotland by outclassing Italy 33-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Jones had urged his team to “light up Rome” and in response they delivered a five-try rout orchestrated by man of the match Marcus Smith to inflict a 34th successive Championship defeat on the Azzurri.
England had stormed 21-0 ahead by half-time and Smith was at the heart of many of their best moments, but he truly shone when firing a superb missed pass to provide Elliot Daly with a simple try in the 45th minute.
And unlike at Murrayfield a week earlier when he was replaced in the 63rd minute to widespread puzzlement, there was no sign of George Ford arriving off the bench until late on and this time Joe Marchant made way.
Ben Youngs eventually joined him at half-back to equal Jason Leonard’s record as England’s most capped player on 114 appearances, with the round-three visit of Wales to Twickenham the likely setting for him to surpass the milestone. Follow the latest reaction from Rome:
Italy 0-26 England, 68 minutes
Italy have defended well in this second half. They are being selective in rushing up on the outside, allowing England to play a little out of the back but recognising that it is all now too lateral from their opponents, who aren’t managing to make telling punches up the middle.
Italy 0-26 England, 66 minutes
This time it is Luke Cowan-Dickie with the vital intervention. Italy move to within a metre and a half of the England line but leave the ball exposed, and the Exeter hooker jackals to win a holding on penalty. That might be Italy’s best chance of a try gone.
Italy 0-26 England, 65 minutes
Impact from Chessum! The long-limbed back-row, a great redwood of a man, uses all of his two metre frame to steal the Italian lineout throw.
But Maro Itoje is then penalised for holding on. Italy return to the corner.
Italy 0-26 England, 64 minutes
The home side have a penalty advantage now, and the busy Federico Ruzza again takes on the role of an outside back, hanging around out wide and shuffling past Marcus Smith, forcing Freddie Steward into another good tackle.
Italy fail to make anything of the advantage so will kick the penalty for the corner. Before they throw the lineout, England make another notable change: Ollie Chessum is on for his debut. A proud moment for the Leicester back-row, who replaces Tom Curry.
Joe Marler is on alongside Chessum with Ellis Genge done for the day. Luke Cowan-Dickie is now the England skipper.
Italy 0-26 England, 63 minutes
The England defence clots the middle of the field but Italy are prepared to make the tough metres. Ignacio Brex scythes through an opening! Lovely angle from the outside centre.
Italy 0-26 England, 62 minutes
Italy snatch an England lineout, and there is further cause for frustration for Eddie Jones as Joe Marchant then slices a long kick out on the full. This has been a bit too sloppy from Jones’ side since the interval.
Italy 0-26 England, 60 minutes
Henry Slade flicks a lovely inside ball, which looks about a yard forward, to Elliot Daly, who is permitted to charge on with the officials unsighted. But England, as they have done too often today, lose their accuracy in their haste to capitalise. Marcus Smith shakes his head.
Italy 0-26 England, 56 minutes
Better from Ben Youngs! Italy win a scrum penalty and return the ball to the left corner. England pile in expecting the maul drive but it is cleverly worked by Italy, Michele Lamaro breaking from the back pushing the ball to Hame Faiva.
The hooker has only Youngs to beat in the tramline but Youngs stands tall and holds firm, solid like a pillar in blocking the replacement. Sam Simmonds arrives from the side to clatter Faiva over the touchline.
Italy 0-26 England, 55 minutes
Not the best start to cap number 114 for Ben Youngs. Sam Simmonds is caught at the line and the ball is reasonably slow, but Youngs looks towards his teammates as he picks up, knocking on in rather basic fashion.
Luke Cowan-Dickie, probably relishing the opportunity to get back out there a week on from Murrayfield, replaces Jamie George.
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