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, 54 minutes
There’s considerable concern over Sebastian Negri here. The Italian replacement appeared to be knocked out as he collided with Nick Isiekwe, and Ellis Genge quickly calls for medical attention.
The cart is brought out for the big back-row. That does not look good.
While the players wait for Negri to be treated, England make some changes, and this is a huge moment - Ben Youngs draws level with Jason Leonard as England’s most-capped male rugby player as he makes his 114th appearance.
Harry Randall wanders off after a reasonably effective afternoon, and Nick Isiekwe follows him. Sam Simmonds is on, which means England will reshuffle - Simmonds will go to six, Maro Itoje into the row, as Youngs prepares to feed the scrum after Negri departs to applause.
Italy 0-26 England, 53 minutes
England shove early, and are free kicked. Stephen Varney lifts the tempo, and Italy charge hard, down to within ten metres of the England line. Lovely stuff from Federico Ruzza, who has had some rather creative touches with ball-in-hand today, arcing a pass over the top to Monty Ioane.
But Italy can’t quite take their chance! England force the ball free and clear, and then another Italian knock-on will allow England to have a scrum feed in midfield.
Italy 0-26 England, 52 minutes
Italy complete their set of front-row replacements with Hame Faiva, clad in a scrum cap bearing the flag of his nation, replaces a frustrated Gianmarco Lucchesi, who felt he had more to give.
Faiva’s first lineout dart is on the money, but Maro Itoje violently rips the ball free from an Italian midfield carrier. Charlie Ewels is in close attendance, but his handling is inaccurate. Italy scrum. A prolonged period in England’s half for the hosts.
Italy 0-26 England, 51 minutes
But after the maul is imploded by England’s clutch of long-limbed back five forwards, Alex Dombrandt shows Curry how it is done by timing his jackal perfectly, plucking the ball in a big right mitt to allow England to clear. It’s a much improved area of the number eight’s game, and that was fine work.
Italy 0-26 England, 50 minutes
And after Italy gather some momentum, Tom Curry rather cynically kills the ball at a ruck, diving off his feet. He’s lucky that Damon Murphy is happy with just a penalty against the England captain - that really could have been yellow.
Italy return to the left corner.
Italy 0-26 England, 48 minutes
Marcus Smith is buzzing about now like a wasp after a coffee, all extravagant passes and stinging tempo. He twice cuts Italy open, but Italy counter-ruck strongly on their own 22 to win the ball back.
A long pass shoots Monty Ioane out of a left wing cannon, and Freddie Steward is forced to make a very secure tackle on the flying Italian as he hares towards the England 22. The visitors are then offside - Italy into the England 22.
Italy 0-26 England, 47 minutes
Such has been England’s scrum dominance since the player re-emerged that Italy will also change their loosehead. That means the Cherif is back in town, with beefy Benneton prop Traore making his first appearance of this year’s Six Nations.
Italy are penalised soon after getting things restarted.
TRY! Italy 0-26 ENGLAND (Elliot Daly try, 45 minutes)
A simple score, but perfectly executed and England have the bonus point! The scrum goes down, but England are permitted to play away. They do, Randall zipping a pass to Marcus Smith, who spots Federico Mori skewing too far infield.
Smith releases a gorgeous pass across the face of three Italian defenders and Elliot Daly has the freedom of Rome to dot down in the corner. For the first time today, Smith fails to complete the job from the tee.
Italy 0-21 England, 43 minutes
That half-time swap of props has done wonders for the England scrum. Kyle Sinckler launches into Danilo Fischetti and the Italian loosehead is penalised.
Harry Randall wishes to go quickly, as is his wont, but he is too far from the mark. England’s forwards fancy another go at the scrum instead.
Italy 0-21 England, 43 minutes
That half-time swap of props has done wonders for the England scrum. Kyle Sinckler launches into Danilo Fischetti and the Italian loosehead is penalised.
Harry Randall wishes to go quickly, as is his wont, but he is too far from the mark. England’s forwards fancy another go at the scrum instead.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments