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 0-0 Scotland
3 mins: Good yards made by Scotland but an offload on the 22 doesn’t go to hand. Wales counter and Adams makes a few metres, feeds Davies who makes a few more. Subsequent box kick also bounces Wales’s way but they’re only on halfway.
There’s a mist hanging over the pitch and Wales are putting up high bombs early on to test the Scottish back three. So far, they’re dealing with them.
Wales 0-0 Scotland
2 mins: Wales go straight through the backs and it’s a carry for Watkin at outside centre. They stick up a box kick from Gareth Davies but it’s too far, easy collect for Rowe and he calls mark before thumping it deep into Welsh territory.
Clearance up towards halfway but a decent platform for the Scots
KICK-OFF! Wales 0-0 Scotland
Wales kick us off and we’re underway! Crosbie collects for Scotland and charges into contact. White box-kicks clear and here we go.
Wales v Scotland
The teams are out, anthems done and we’re ready to get underway.
Scotland haven’t won in Cardiff for 22 years but this is as good a chance as they’ll ever have. Surely this year? Surely...?
Wales v Scotland referee: Who is Six Nations official Ben O’Keeffe?
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe will take charge of Wales vs Scotland in the 2024 Six Nations.
The 35-year-old endured an eventual World Cup last year, being appointed to a quarter-final and semi-final in his second appearance at the tournament.
O’Keeffe’s performance in the last eight was criticised by beaten French captain Antoine Dupont, but the Kiwi responded well and took charge of England’s narrow defeat to semi-final at the Stade de France a week later.
Here’s everything you need to know about him:
Wales v Scotland referee: Who is Six Nations official Ben O’Keeffe?
The New Zealander is one of the officials for this year’s tournament
Gregor Townsend gives his pre-match thoughts
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been chatting to BBC, and started by talking through the roof u-turn - with Scotland now opting to have it closed after initially requesting it stay open.
Townsend said: “The weather changed. Nobody wants to play in rain if they can avoid it. We’d have preferred a dry day, but we’re all happy now.
“We believe this team has experience of winning in venues we’ve not had great records in, so this is another one to challenge us today. The squad selection doesn’t win games. It’s what you do in the 80 minutes that count.
“Finn won’t change how he plays [as captain]. He leads our attack anyway, he’s a good connector with his team-mates and referees.”
Scotland team news
Scotland are also short of a couple of key figures, including new co-captain Rory Darge - Luke Crosbie and former skipper Jamie Ritchie thus join Matt Fagerson in the back row. Blair Kinghorn is the second major injury absentee, opening an opportunity for Kyle Rowe to make his first start.
Scotland’s bench props will both make Scotland debuts when introduced, though Alec Hepburn can at least count on the experience of six caps in an England shirt.
Scotland XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 Zander Fagerson; 4 Richie Gray, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Luke Crosbie, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 8 Matt Fagerson; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell (capt.); 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Kyle Steyn; 15 Kyle Rowe.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Jack Dempsey; 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cam Redpath.
Wales team news
It’s a relatively inexperienced Welsh side, with Warren Gatland’s selection complicated further by the absence of Will Rowlands and George North.
In Rowlands’ absence, Adam Bard partners new skipper Dafydd Jenkins in the second row, while Owen Watkin takes the 13 shirt with North nursing a shoulder problem.
Cam Winnett will make a debut at full-back, while fellow Cardiff youngster Alex Mann is also set to win a first cap off the bench.
Wales XV: 1 Corey Domachowski, 2 Ryan Elias, 3 Leon Brown; 4 Dafydd Jenkins (capt.), 5 Adam Beard; 6 James Botham, 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Aaron Wainwright; 9 Gareth Davies, 10 Sam Costelow; 11 Rio Dyer, 12 Nick Tompkins, 13 Owen Watkin, 14 Josh Adams; 15 Cam Winnett.
Replacements: 16 Elliot Dee, 17 Kemsley Mathias, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Alex Mann; 21 Tomos Williams, 22 Ioan Lloyd, 23 Mason Grady
How to watch Wales v Scotland
When is Wales vs Scotland?
Wales vs Scotland is due to kick off at 4.45pm GMT on Saturday 3 February at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, with coverage on the channel from 4pm. It can be watched online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
If you’re travelling abroad and want to watch major sporting events, you might need a VPN to unblock your streaming app. Our VPN round-up is here to help and includes deals on VPNs in the market. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
Everything you need to know about Wales v Scotland
Wales and Scotland get their Six Nations underway in the final fixture of the opening weekend.
Scotland have lost on their last 11 visits to Cardiff, but will surely see this as a golden opportunity to end that 22-year run with Wales bedding in a new side after a year of change.
Warren Gatland has installed the 21-year-old lock Dafydd Jenkins as captain of a young squad that he hopes can grow together.
Gregor Townsend’s visitors have a more settled feel, but are also under new leadership with Rory Darge and Finn Russell appointed as co-captains for the campaign.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Wales v Scotland live stream: How to watch Six Nations match online and on TV
Everything you need to know ahead of the round one clash
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