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 0-7 England, 16 minutes
Brilliant from Italy! A deliciously deft chip over the top from that skillful left peg of Paolo Garbisi, bouncing perfectly for Marco Zanon. He shifts the ball onwards, but Braam Steyn’s offload is just a little hurried and hops invitingly for Maro Itoje, who extinguishes the danger.
Another good clearance from Randall. Hang on - Jack Nowell is indeed called off for an HIA. It did appear that referee Damon Murphy might have hurried the medics to make a decision but Nowell is now removed, possibly temporarily.
Italy 0-7 England, 15 minutes
Nowell took a bang earlier in that movement, and the England wing is having a chat with the team doctor. The medics are reviewing the foootage to see if Nowell might require a head injury assessment, and Elliot Daly is readied.
Nope, Nowell stays on.
Italy 0-7 England, 14 minutes
A chance for Italy to launch an attack of their own, and while the ruck isn’t always tidy, they begin to get moving forwards. Niccolo Cannone drags a defender with him as he bashes through two English tacklers.
But again some untidiness at the breakdown, and Jack Nowell pounces, diving on the ball after it scurries out of the tangled tree roots.
Harry Randall clears well.
Italy 0-7 England, 12 minutes
England are clearly going to play today. Freddie Steward drives at the Italian defence with muscular intent and Joe Marchant nearly hurdles a defender as they take him low. Marchant offloads, and Marcus Smith has to hurry a pass away, allowing a teammate to clear.
England soon have it back as Italy return in similar booted fashion, but that’s a touch over-ambitious - Will Stuart, Max Malins and Henry Slade get themselves in a muddle and some loose handling means it will be an Itlian scrum in advanced territory.
TRY! Italy 0-7 ENGLAND (Marcus Smith try, 11 minutes)
That’s what the England fly-half can do. A subtle little step to set the feet of the defender and Smith’s flat pass gives Malins just enough space along the touchline.
Smith follows along in support and takes the infield pass to score a very tidy little England opening try. Over goes the conversion from Smith’s right boot.
Italy 0-0 England, 10 minutes
Jack Nowell strides down the left, and here come England. Marcus Smith begins to set to work, throwing forward carriers on clever angles into the defensive line, and the burly men begin to create craters.
Where is Smith going now? A goose-step to hold the outside defender, outside to Max Malins, and back to Smith...
Italy 0-0 England, 8 minutes
What can England work, then, with this attacking platform? The maul makes a little bit of ground and then it is out to the backs, pull-back pass, pull-back pass, but Italy have it well marshalled. Max Malins is taken and can’t sort his hands out as he tries to release an offload, and Italy hack the ball for the other side of the Stadio Olimpico.
Federico Mori charges after it like Marcell Jacobs, and very nearly beats a retreating Marcus Smith to the ball, but the England fly-half deftly skips away from the Italian, and England soon draw yet another Italian infringement, which are becoming a little bit too regular for the hosts.
Italy 0-0 England, 6 minutes
Harry Randall takes a couple of steps before fizzing a pass into midfield, and is ended by Braam Steyn soon after. Not soon enough, though - a late tackle the call of the referee, which looks a marginal call. England into the Italian 22 for the first time.
Italy 0-0 England, 5 minutes
Italy get the ball out of the scrum on this occasion, and explore a 15-metre blindside. England have Paolo Garbisi well marked, forcing the left-footed fly-half to lift a little chip beyond Freddie Steward, but the England full-back is back in good time to dot down. England goalline drop out, which is cleared to a moderate distance by Marcus Smith.
Marco Zanon trucks the ball up, angling for the left touchline, but a supporting player arrives off their feet and England will have a penalty.
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