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 17-27 England
78 mins: Izekor fumbles a lineout and Dan dives on the loose ball. Italy then fumble an England box-kick, Cunningham-South grabs it and charges down the left touchline but Ioane across well to tackle him into touch.
And another debutant on for England as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, the exciting Exeter speedster enters the fray. Important to cap him to keep him out of Wales’s clutches as well, so you can understand Borthwick bringing him on for a couple of minutes.
Italy 17-27 England
77 mins: So England will finish this game with 14 men. Lineout safely secured by Italy but Steward comes across brilliantly to claim a Garbisi chip over the top with a trio of Italians, including Zambonin, charging and about to grab the ball.
YELLOW CARD! Italy 17-27 England
75 mins: Maro Itoje has taken over as England’s captain from George. Itoje was seen as a nailed-on future England skipper when he first burst on tot he scene but has never quite been trusted in the leadership position until now. He’s had a very good game today.
The referee will have a look at an Elliot Daly tackle to see if it’s a trip. He was slipping but appears to stick out his left leg to trip the Italian runner. TMO and referee agree it’s a yellow card. That was clear.
Italy 17-27 England
74 mins: Great rugby by Italy as they run a wraparound play and scythe through the English defensive live before Cunningham-South makes a good tackle on Mori in the wide channel as he bursts into the 22.
Italy go back inside but Roots picks them off at the breakdown to seal the turnover. England were stretched there, so that’s a big turnover.
Alex Coles on for England as is Andrea Zambonin for Italy - both into their respective second rows. England skipper Jamie George also exits, with Theo Dan on at hooker for the final few minutes.
Italy 17-27 England
71 mins: Wow! Italy’s rookie prop Spagnolo out-scrums the old warhorse Cole, who is pinged for a penalty. You’d have got long odds on that!
Itoje nearly disrupts the breakdown after the Italy lineout but the Azzurri hold on and have a platform in England’s half.
Italy 17-27 England
69 mins: Fin Smith has orchestrated Northampton Saints to the top of the Gallagher Premiership this season - he’s an exciting prospect at 10. Can he conduct the England attack in the same way?
The sloppiness continues as Italy fumble the ball after a lineout, giving England a scrum. We’re entering the final 10 minutes and the Azzurri haven’t scored in the second half yet.
Another change for them as Federico Mori is on for Lorenzo Pani. Mori into the centres and the impressive Menoncello out to the wing.
Italy 17-27 England
68 mins: Two debutants for England as Fin Smith on at fly half for Ford and big-carrying Chandler Cunningham-South on for Sam Underhill in the back row. He’s a powerful, exciting player.
A couple of Italian debutants also come on - prop Mirco Spagnoloand back row Alessandro Izekor. Youngsters into the fray
PENALTY! Italy 17-27 England (George Ford 66’)
It’s loose from England in midfield but they’re bailed out by another penalty and given the scoreboard, they go for the posts. It’s bang in front of the sticks and George Ford nails it. That will be his final action as he’s about to be subbed.
Italy 17-24 England
65 mins: Things have become slightly bitty over the past few minutes. Often happens once the replacements start to enter the fray. But we’re into the final quarter and this game is still up for grabs.
Italy 17-24 England
61 mins: Itoje disrupts the Italy lineout but unlucky to just knock on. England won’t mind that too much, it was good work by the English lock.
Italy now knock on in response after a couple of phases in midfield. They’ve generally been pretty tidy today but that’s frustrating for them. Good defensive pressure though
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