Italy v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations as England hold on to beat Azzurri
Italy 24-27 England: Steve Borthwick’s England come from behind and then hold on to edge out a fiesty Azzurri side in Rome
England recovered from a scruffy start and a 17-8 deficit to beat Italy 27-24 in their opening Six Nations game in Rome, ending a run of four successive opening-round defeats in the championship.
Italy flew out of the blocks with a Tommaso Allan penalty and a well-created try for Alessandro Garbisi and though Elliot Daly hit back for England, their new-look side looked disorganised, not least when Allan flew through for the hosts’ second try.
Two George Ford penalties closed the gap to 17-14 at half-time, somewhat flattering for England, but they took control in the second period, starting when scrum half Alex Mitchell showed great determination to claim their second try.
Ford’s boot stretched the lead and more aggressive defence kept Italy at bay until Monty Ioane broke through for a converted try in added time to earn Italy a losing bonus point.
Relive all the action from Rome below.You can get all the latest Six Nations odds and tips here.
MISSED PENALTY! Italy 17-24 England
58 mins: On the 22, to the left of the posts and Tommaso Allan misses the kick wide to the right! That hurts Italy - he’s normally impeccable from the tee.
Another veteran on for England as Danny Care wins his 97th cap, on for Alex Mitchell at scrum half. It’s Care’s first Six Nations appearance for six years, remarkably!
Italy 17-24 England
57 mins: Great strike move off the scrum by Italy. Garbisi down the blind side, feeds Ioane and he bursts into the 22. Italy lose the ball at the breakdown but England pinged for offside.
Discussions with captain Michele Lamaro and he opts to take the points, so Allan will go for the posts.
Italy 17-24 England
56 mins: A Slade knock-on as he goes for an intercept, so Italy put in to the scrum. And they’ll face Dan Cole! The veteran comes on for his 108th cap in place of Will Stuart.
Italy 17-24 England
55 mins: Opening try-scorer Alessandro Garbisi is off, with Stephen Varney on a scrum half for Italy and Giacomo Nicotera on at hooker for Gianmarco Lucchesi as well. England’s entire starting XV still on the field but not for much longer, surely.
PENALTY! Italy 17-24 England (George Ford 54’)
England have a first scrum of the day where they’ll put-in and they immediately win a penalty. Zilocchi, only just off the bench, is pinged as he’s dominated by Marler.
Good work by the English front row and George Ford takes advantage from the kicking tee to extend the lead.
WATCH: Alex Mitchell dances through for England’s second try
It was lovely work from Mitchell.
Italy 17-21 England
51 mins: The Italy scrum has been solid today and is again. Blitz defence from England stifles them though as Chessum bursts out of the line and makes a huge hit.
England turn the ball over in midfield and that’s another good set that will please defence coach Felix Jones
Italy 17-21 England
49 mins: Better lineout by England as Roots claims the George throw. Another attacking platform in the opposition 22. Freeman loops around but good defence by Italy.
Menoncello then disrupts the ball to force England backwards, Steward knocks on and the Azzurri can reset. Tommy Freeman receiving treatment after taking a knee to the face from his own team-mate. Painful and that will come up as a shiner but he should be fine to continue
Italy 17-21 England
47 mins: A couple of Italy changes as prop Giosue Zilocchi and back row Manuel Zuliani enter the fray.
England lose a lineout deep in the Italy 22 to spurn an attacking opportunity. Good work by Ruzza to reach past Itoje and pilfer it.
TRY! Italy 17-21 England (Alex Mitchell 45’)
England back into the Italy 22 and Slade dances in from the left flank to make good ground. And then Alex Mitchell goes over!
The scrum half goes alone as he snipes from the base of a ruck, he spins one defender and then isn’t held when tackled so pirouettes, gets back up and stretches out for the try. A first Six Nations try for the No 9.
Good conversion from out on the left by Ford and England on top in Rome.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments