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 0-14 England, 30 minutes
England continue to get some joy at the breakdown. They jackal strongly on halfway and can again make kicked progress for the Italian 22.
Joe Marchant hits a line against the grain in midfield, but England lose control of possession. Italy were offside, though, so Marcus Smith will send his forwards for the corner.
Italy 0-14 England, 29 minutes
Charged down! But Tom Curry stumbles! Paolo Garbisi takes an age to line up his clearing kick, jagging back as he has to on to his left foot and punting straight into the England captain. There is no cover if Curry keeps his feet but they disappear from under him, like a novice on a snowboard, and Italy get back to kick more effectively long.
That one strikes English hands, too, actually but still has more than enough distance, and it will be Italy to throw the lineout.
Italy 0-14 England, 27 minutes
That’s a real shame for Nowell, who was making his first England start in more than 1000 days.
Marcus Smith threatens to cut Italy to ribbons from deep but his scissors jar after making the half-break, and the supporting players don’t quite arrive in time for an offload. To the skies, then, as Smith kicks stalled ball high through the Italian air, English hands knocking it on as it plummets back down to earth 35 metres or so from the Italian line.
Italy 0-14 England, 25 minutes
Outstanding work from Toa Halafihi, spotting an England ruck that is not quite cleared correctly and pilfering the ball back Italy’s way. Monty Ioane biffs Elliot Daly and Joe Marchant backwards, and then hurries after a Paolo Garbisi grubber that dances the tightrope along the left touchline.
Italy then spin the ball to the right. Federico Mori is all anger and intensity as he looks to power away from Marcus Smith, but the Harlequin goes low and makes a superb cover tackle, both dragging the Bordeaux wing to the deck and then planting his foot over the touchline to ensure there will be no more Italian progress.
Jack Nowell has failed his HIA, by the way - Elliot Daly will remain on the wing for the remainder of this encounter.
Italy 0-14 England, 24 minutes
Another opportunity for England to try a structured strike-move, and there are spaces appearing. Nick Isiekwe has carried directly so far and does so again here, but loses his grip as he hits the firm Stadio Olimpico turf and knocks on.
Italy 0-14 England, 23 minutes
Again the England maul begins to rumble but Italy do a better job of stemming it, fighting through the centre to force England to play away. Harry Randall does, and it’s a trademark play with Henry Slade at first receiver and Marcus Smith out the back.
The fly-half flings the ball away to the right and Max Malins pokes a grubber through. Federico Mori covers across from the opposite wing and picks up well, but England have chased in good number. They force a curtailed Italian clearance.
Italy 0-14 England, 22 minutes
England are managing to drag Italian bodies in every time they maul, which they do straight from kick-off, and Niccolo Cannone’s point of entry is rightly penalised. There’s a little bit of space out wide but England can’t take advantage. Back for the penalty they will go.
TRY! Italy 0-14 ENGLAND (Jamie George try, 20 minutes)
There’s the second score! Strong attack from England, Harry Randall darting around the back of the maul and flipping the ball up for the onrushing Max Malins, who wins the gainline. Nick Isiekwe, Charlie Ewels and Maro Itoje all feature prominently in the movement and Stephen Varney’s haste to deny England quick ball sees him penalised.
With the advantage, England increase the intensity of their knocks on the door, and Jamie George bashes it open from close range close to the left-hand upright. Marcus Smith converts.
Italy 0-7 England, 18 minutes
Italy’s kick is better weighted and Monty Ioane chops Max Malins in half soon after the Saracens wing claims the high bomb.
The pair collide again soon after, this time Malins on the chase and forcing Ioane to land on his back, leaving him exposed to an England jackal, which is effectively performed. England penalty, provided the TMO deems Malins’ aerial challenge legal...yes. England kick back into the Italy 22.
Italy 0-7 England, 17 minutes
There’s plenty of fizz to the England attack, with Harry Randall and Marcus Smith injecting some tempo. But that isn’t quite right from Randall, switching approach and trying to box beyond the Italian backfield but choosing completely the wrong club. 10 or 15 yards too much flight and out on the full.
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