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.
Italy 17-14 England
43 mins: Great up and under by Salde, who chases his own kick and nails Allan. The Italy full back does well to hold on.
England get it back and Freeman is agonisingly close to scoring! The Northampton winger has space on the right flank, charges into space, pokes a grubber kick beyond the final defender but it just bounces into touch before the line. If it bounces the other way, Freeman collects and scores
KICK-OFF! Italy 17-14 England
Back underway in Rome. England almost claim the kick-off but Itoje just knocks on. We’ll have just a second scrum fo the game and it’s solid again from Italy
WATCH: First-half highlights from Rome
Here are the highlights from that first half
HALF-TIME! Italy 17-14 England
A breathless first half in Rome!
HALF-TIME! Italy 17-14 England
Italy deal with a kick through and run a couple of phases to see it through to half-time. They’ll be delighted with that first half - they lead by three points at the break in pursuit of a first-ever win over England.
Italy 17-14 England
39 mins: Kick-off safely claimed by Itoje and England can box-kick up to halfway through Mitchell. Powerful carry by Netflix star Negri before Italy take to the air but Daly takess and thumps clear.
A kicking battle ensues and England win it as Freeman dances and carries into the Italy half. Can England score before the break?
PENALTY! Italy 17-14 England (George Ford 38’)
George Ford indeed makes no mistake and the lead is trimmed to three.
Italy 17-11 England
37 mins: A few minutes to go before the break. England enjoying all the possession recently. They’re into the Italian half again, another big carry from Roots and then Marler.
Steward taken out off the ball by Ceccarelli, who falls for a Ford dummy, so England will go for the posts from the 22 in a fairly central position. Should be within three points here.
WATCH: Italy extend their lead with second try
Here was that second try from Italy. A gorgeous score, finished by Tommaso Allan.
PENALTY! Italy 17-11 England (George Ford 33’)
England back within a score. Simple penalty for Ford. Three points not a bad return there
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