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.
Wales 0-10 Scotland
18 mins: Solid Scottish scrum and Fagerson picks up from the base to buy them a few more yards, allowing White to thump the box kick clear towards halfway.
Wales 0-10 Scotland
16 mins: Lineout safely secured and they run a couple of phases but Jenkins then loses the ball forward in the tackle as he tries to get over the gainline. Frustrating for Wales.
A first scrum of the day and still work to do for Scotland to clear their lines from their own five-metre line.
Wales 0-10 Scotland
14 mins: The Scottish lineout goes astray, Wales pinch it and can build from halfway. But they look short of ideas in attack and quickly kick the ball back to Scotland.
Penalty to Wales for a high tackle by Rowe on Winnett - a seatbelt tackle which you can’t really do any more. Bit long for a shot at goal maybe, so they find touch in the 22. The crowd start to rise for the lineout...
TRY! Wales 0-10 Scotland (Pierre Schoeman 11’)
Right by the posts and looshead prop Pierre Schoeman has a dart - he burrows, stretches out and it’s a try! We’ll check with the TMO but it’s quickly confirmed. No double movement, a legal reach-out.
Easy conversion for Russell from bang in front and it’s 10-0 to the visitors
Wales 0-3 Scotland
10 mins: Wales clear their lines but Scotland attack again. Gorgeous long pass from Rowe to Steyn after he’s glided between tacklers and they’re into the 22. They power the ball within five metres of the line. 10 phases and still going.
They’re inches from the line...
Wales 0-3 Scotland
9 mins: No maul this time as Scotland run a strike play off the lineout and Tuipulotu barrels up the middle. Over the gain-line and it’s quick ball but good Wales defence to win a turnover at the breakdown about five metres from their own line. Huge. Zander Fagerson pinged for a second motion.
Corey Domachowski receiving treatment after getting his head in the wrong position from a tackle, takes a thigh to the head. He may have to go off for a HIA - we’ll see.
Wales 0-3 Scotland
8 mins: A kick-heavy strategy from Wales so far, especially in their own half. But another penalty puts them under pressure - captain Dafydd Jenkins caught offside. Referee Ben O’Keefe already warning that too much more will be a yellow card.
Good touch-finder from Russell from the penalty. A lineout in the Welsh 22 is the reward. Another great chance here.
PENALTY! Wales 0-3 Scotland (Finn Russell 6’)
Simple kick for Finn Russell and he makes no mistake. Points on the board for the Scots. A decent first attacking set from them.
Wales 0-0 Scotland
6 mins: Russell opts for a cross-field kick off the wraparound but it’s straight into touch. Penalty was coming though, so he’ll have a chance to get the first three points on the board
Wales 0-0 Scotland
5 mins: Not a great kick by Russell but Steyn brilliantly contests and snatches it out of the air. He then wins the penalty and it’s thumped up to the 22.
Lienout safely secured, good throw by Turner and they maul into the 22. Tuipolotu with a punishing carry in midfield to make more ground.
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