England kept themselves in Guinness Six Nations title contention after beating Italy 47-24 in bonus-point fashion at Allianz Stadium. A five-point maximum took Steve Borthwick's team above Ireland and into second place behind France ahead of the so-called Super Saturday finale next weekend. England will require a repeat result against Wales - and hope that Scotland stun France in Paris - as they chase Six Nations silverware, but it is long odds on such a scenario unfolding.
Tom Willis, Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme scored first-half tries, all converted by Fin Smith, but Italy responded through touchdowns from Ange Capuozzo and Ross Vintcent, with Paolo Garbisi adding a penalty and two conversions. Marcus Smith, an early replacement for centre Ollie Lawrence after he suffered an injury that looks likely to rule him out of contention in Cardiff, and Tom Curry crossed in quick succession during the third quarter to leave Italy floundering, effectively ending the game as a contest.
Sleightholme added his second touchdown during a burst of three tries in nine minutes, as Fin Smith doubled his conversion haul to six, and Italy were finished despite a late Tommaso Menoncello score that Garbisi converted. Flanker Ben Earl added England's seventh try in the game's final play.
England vs Italy latest news
- TRY! Smith secures England bonus point
- TRY! Vintcent goes over after brilliant move
- TRY! Freeman restores advantage
- TRY! Capuozzo levels after Ioane kick
Thanks for following!
20:07 , Matt VerriEngland kept themselves alive in the Six Nations title race with a commanding 47-24 bonus-point win over Italy.
Ollie Sleightholme had a brace and Fin Smith was almost perfect from the tee as Steve Borthwick’s side confidently brushed aside the Azzurri with seven total tries at a sun-soaked Allianz Stadium Twickenham to move second above Ireland and just a point shy of leaders France heading into Super Saturday after the latter’s statement win in Dublin on Saturday.
It means England head to Cardiff on the final weekend in the championship hunt, though they will need to beat Wales and hope to get a massive favour from Scotland in Paris later in the day. France’s vastly superior points difference means that any victory for Les Bleus would seal their first title since 2022.
England player ratings
17:14Ollie Sleightholme 9
Has rarely had the chance to show his attacking chops of late, but put that right here and scored in the corner in the first half.
Pulled off a nice Pirouette to score his second after some wonderful offloads. Has real pace and guile when he’s allowed to show it.
Fin Smith 8
Showed his kicking prowess early on and exited from tricky positions with real coolness, so utterly composed from the tee too until one solitary miss at the death ruined his perfect run.
Absolutely rock solid again so early in his Test career and dare I say starting to build a strong case to tour with the Lions this summer.
Special moment for the George family!
17:09 , Matt VerriA century of international caps for Jamie George.
Comfortable win to mark it, and he had a good game individually. Played a key role in Sleightholme’s second try as he showed some lovely hands.
Plenty of love for @EnglandRugby's newest centurion 😍
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 9, 2025
Congratulations on your incredible achievement, Jamie 👏#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/4RZQMetUZS
Finished in style!
16:57 , Matt VerriHere is that Earl try...
As soon as there was that amount of space, nobody was going to stop him.
🗣️ "England go home with a spring in their step!"
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
Ben Earl seals puts a stamp on England's win, scoring their seventh try of the afternoon 🙌#GuinnessM6N |#ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/zeeYmAjTdQ
FT: England 47-24 Italy
16:55Seven tries and a job well done for England.
They are up to second in the standings and will be there to take advantage if France do slip up on the final weekend.
TRY! England 47-24 Italy | Ben Earl 80'
16:54 , Matt VerriBut it’s England who get the final try!
Turned over at the breakdown and England have all the space in the world to exploit, with Earl bursting over.
England 42-24 Italy
16:52 , Matt Verri79 mins: Baxter off his feet at the breakdown and the opportunity goes for England.
Italy will probably keep playing in search of a fourth try, so we could have a few more minutes here.
England 42-24 Italy
16:51 , Matt Verri78 mins: Chance for England to finish on a high, lineout on the 5m line.
Maul doesn’t get a chance to form, but England win the penalty. Smith punts it back to touch. Here we go again...
England 42-24 Italy
16:48 , Matt Verri77 mins: Chessum has been named player of the match for England.
It was between him and Tom Curry for the commentators - Chessum gets the nod.
Clock is stopped as seemingly half the Italian players receive some treatment.
England 42-24 Italy
16:44 , Matt Verri74 mins: Looks like Earl is going to play at centre for the closing stages. He’s up against two of the best in the world.
Italy very much on top at the moment, England have fallen away a fair bit in the last 20 minutes.
George Flood at Twickenham
16:43 , Matt VerriItaly haven't given up here and probably deserve that, but not sure Borthwick will be overly enthused by the defensive intensity of his finishers.
TRY! England 42-24 Italy | Tommaso Menoncello 71'
16:41 , Matt VerriItaly get their try in the second half!
Zuliani bundles his way through the challenge and is stopped a metre or two short of the line.
England are too narrow, though, and Menoncello can stroll over as it comes wide.
England 42-17 Italy
16:40 , Matt Verri70 mins: Capuozzo’s final action of the match is a lovely kick that drops over Dingwall and into touch.
Allan on for the final ten minutes or so.
George Flood at Twickenham
16:37 , Matt VerriThe game has really lost its rhythm over the last few minutes, with England having emptied their bench.
But Italy don't seem to have the energy left to take advantage of a drop in intensity from the hosts.
England 42-17 Italy
16:37 , Matt Verri67 mins: England lineout near enough on the 22m line. Can they click into gear in attack again?
No. Ball is fumbled and Italy can clear, sending England back to the halfway line.
England 42-17 Italy
16:34 , Matt Verri65 mins: Earl is back on for England. Looked to have been a knee injury earlier when he went off, but evidently it was blood-related.
Italy looking for their first points of the half and it’s a slick move from the lineout, but the reverse pass from Garbisi is forward.
England 42-17 Italy
16:30 , Matt Verri63 mins: A couple of minutes spent resetting scrums. Just what we all love to watch.
Italy work it wide but it’s so good from Mitchell to slow down Ioane and England then turn it over at the breakdown.
But it’s scrappy from the hosts and the ball is fumbled forward.
England 42-17 Italy
16:26 , Matt Verri60 mins: Cowan-Dickie penalised for playing Varney, Italy can kick to touch in the England 22.
It’s been a slightly more controlled five minutes or so for them, after a disastrous start to the half.
England 42-17 Italy
16:24 , Matt Verri58 mins: Curry’s afternoon is over, Hill comes on to replace him.
Hill charges down an Italy kick with near enough his first touch, but three England players then fail to jump on the loose ball.
Daly has a swipe at the ball as he bobbles to him, Italy will have a goal-line clearance.
George Flood at Twickenham
16:21 , Matt VerriEngland are really enjoying themselves now, the tries keep coming and Fin Smith can't miss from the tee.
Itoje with the overhead pass, another fine step from a front-rower in George and a little pirouette in the corner to finish from Sleightholme, who has a brace.
Now a huge reception for George as he's brought off to end his 100th cap.
England 42-17 Italy
16:21 , Matt Verri56 mins: Italy with a rare venture into English territory.
Garbisi darts into space, forgets to take the ball with him. Italy penalised for offside.
Curry has gone down again, second time he’s needed treatment this half. Looks to be cramp the way he was stretching the left leg out.
England 42-17 Italy
16:19 , Matt VerriSmith hasn’t had a simple kick yet... but he hasn’t missed a kick.
Another perfect kick from out wide, he’s six from six this afternoon.
TRY! England 40-17 Italy | Ollie Sleightholme 53'
16:17 , Matt VerriSpecial, special try!
Italy spill it and Itoje bursts forward. Curry, Mitchell and George all show brilliant hands, before Sleightholme dots down out wide.
England 35-17 Italy
16:15 , Matt Verri51 mins: Earl has gone down and it looks to be a problem with his knee.
In fact, that’s the end of his afternoon. Cunningham-South on to replace him, while Curry is also receiving some treatment.
England 35-17 Italy
16:13 , Matt Verri49 mins: Bit too intricate from England, as Curry’s offload is fumbled by Freeman.
Structure of the match is already starting to break down a bit. There’s going to be more and more space to exploit.
George Flood at Twickenham
16:11 , Matt VerriThe wheels are coming off for Italy now, England are pouring through at will. Tom Curry heavily involved since the break as he picks up and goes over.
Fin Smith still perfect from the tee.
TRY! England 33-17 Italy | Tom Curry 47'
16:10 , Matt VerriWe saw France run riot in the second-half against Italy. Can England do something similar?
Penalty won and Smith’s kick gets them to touch in the Italy 22. Maul is bulldozing forward, up to 5m out. England piling bodies into it.
Eventually Curry makes a dart, before Mitchell is brought down a couple of metres out.
Curry again... over the line!
TRY! England 28-17 Italy | Marcus Smith 44'
16:07 , Matt VerriThere’s the bonus point!
Stuart with a lovely step to get England on the front foot, before Curry then pops the ball up for Smith and he can skip forward.
He sees the space and darts into it, strolling over the line for England’s fourth try.
Simple conversion added by Fin Smith.
England 21-17 Italy
16:06 , Matt Verri42 mins: Gallagher in space on the wing and he’s within sight of the try line, but that particular burst is stopped short. Great tackle from Marcus Smith.
England defending well deep in their own 22, and they win the penalty as Riccioni then comes flying in off his feet.
Back underway!
16:04 , Matt VerriUp and running in the second-half!
Pick of the bunch?
16:01 , Matt VerriAnge Capuozzo has looked electric when he’s been given even a hint of space to exploit.
England need to limit his chances to run from full-back.
🗣️ "It's a try that Italy will be talking about for a LONG time!"
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
Ange Capuozzo and Ross Vintcent produce an absolute WORLDIE for Italy 🤯#GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/PyWcmNdzsR
George Flood at Twickenham
15:54 , Matt VerriThe conversation between Genge and referee Andrew Brace continues after the half-time whistle following the contentious penalty he gave away a few minutes ago.
A thrilling first 40 at Twickenham, England in front and one try short of the bonus, but it's not comfortable.
HT: England 21-17 Italy
15:48 , Matt VerriFinal action of the half will, probably, be this Italian attack. Penalty won from the scrum and they kick it to touch, 12m out from the line.
Here comes the maul, England have slowed the momentum.
And Italy can’t get the ball out, that will be half-time. England lead at the break.
England 21-17 Italy
15:46 , Matt Verri39 mins: Italian scrum, Menoncello forces the knock-on.
This has been a really enjoyable half, Italy have responded brilliantly to that hammering against France last time out. Right in this.
PENALTY! England 21-17 Italy | Paolo Garbisi 38'
15:45 , Matt VerriGenge less than impressed as he’s penalised right in front of the posts - conversion with the referee doesn’t bring the result that he wants.
What it does bring is a penalty that Garbisi can’t miss.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:43 , Matt VerriLovely quick ball through the hands from England to hit straight back - Sleightholme has real pace and guile when he gets the chance to show it.
Superb from Dingwall to move that ball so fast when he was about to get hit.
England 21-14 Italy
15:43 , Matt VerriIt’s another superb conversion from Smith, right on the touchline. He’s three from three.
Been a bit of a strange match, but England are within touching distance of a bonus point.
TRY! England 19-14 Italy | Ollie Sleightholme 35'
15:42 , Matt VerriGreat hands from Freeman, does well to find Chessum on his outside.
England penalty and Mitchell takes it quickly, dancing to within a couple of metres of the tryline. Another advantage for offside.
England don’t need it, so many numbers out wide. Smith flings it wide and Sleightholme can stroll over.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:40 , Matt VerriA defensive nightmare from England as the fleet-footed Capuozzo steps and slips the tackle of George all too easily before feeding No8 Vintcent, who shows an incredible set of wheels to burst straight through the middle of two defenders and produce a little dummy en route to going over.
Garbisi's extras mean we're level at Twickenham. Frustration for Borthwick.
TRY! England 14-14 Italy | Ross Vintcent 31'
15:39 , Matt VerriTHAT IS STUNNING!
Lineout taken quickly and Capuozzo then turns on the style. Electric turn of pace to skip away from a couple of challenges, George grabs thin air and he’s away.
Has Vintcent on his shoulder, and the forward has the speed himself after a lovely dummy to dive over.
England 14-7 Italy
15:37 , Matt Verri30 mins: Chance for Italy to put some pressure on, as they win the penalty and the kick gets them up into the English 22.
But Italy make a mess of it. “Too many receivers” says the referee, free-kick England.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:35 , Matt VerriItoje with his best Superman impression there as he tries to dive the ball over the line after England's driving maul is brought down short.
No luck in the end, but England do score quick as a flash afterwards following the goal-line dropout, the dangerous Freeman charging through to scoop up and score from Daly's superb kick.
England 14-7 Italy
15:34 , Matt VerriTricky kick for Smith out on the right wing... but he’s sent it straight through the middle of the posts.
England once again have a seven-point lead.
TRY! England 12-7 Italy | Tommy Freeman 27'
15:34 , Matt VerriToo easy for England!
Daly with the kick into open space, Garbisi is absolutely nowhere on the cover and Freeman is allowed to burst away and gather the loose ball.
Nobody stopping him from a few yards out.
England 7-7 Italy
15:33 , Matt Verri26 mins: TMO has got involved, tells the referee to have another look at how the maul was brought down.
And the referee is sticking to his guns. Not sure about that...
England 7-7 Italy
15:32 , Matt Verri26 mins: England’s maul is brought down just before the line, the referee says it was legal.
Itoje then tries to superman his way over the top of the pile of bodies as he lunges for the line, there’s no space for him.
Replays show that Fischetti came in at the side to bring down that maul - should have been a penalty.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:31 , Matt VerriA terrible kick that from Garbisi and England get away with one. Italy are really coming on strong at the moment and putting England's back three under pressure by putting boot to ball at every opportunity.
England had shown some ingenuity in attack early on, but it's fizzled out.
England 7-7 Italy
15:30 , Matt Verri25 mins: Capuozzo flings the ball out the back of the hand to keep it in play... and he’s thrown it 15 yards straight to Earl.
Helps England get back on the attack and Ruzza is then penalised at the breakdown.
Smith’s kick gets England right up to the 5m line. Need to make something of this.
England 7-7 Italy
15:28 , Matt Verri23 mins: That’s really poor from Garbisi.
Just outside the 22, nice angle for the left-footer... but it doesn’t curl back between the posts.
Let-off for England.
England 7-7 Italy
15:27 , Matt Verri21 mins: It’s all gone a bit flat from an England perspective.
Italy are growing in confidence by the phase, they’re back up to the English 22 and they have a penalty advantage.
Capuozzo spots some space, door is swiftly slammed shut. Lamaro goes for a very optimistic offload, knowing it’s a free play, but it doesn’t come off.
Italy will go for the points.
England 7-7 Italy
15:24 , Matt Verri19 mins: Varney dinks a kick over the top, into space in the England 22.
Smith has to scramble across and it’s a brilliant clearing kick, near enough up to the halfway line.
England 7-7 Italy
15:22 , Matt Verri17 mins: England looking for an immediate response, winning a penalty and Smith’s kick to touch is a good one. 10m out - will they trust the forwards to drive to the line?
Lineout is good and there’s no shove, Mitchell gets it out quickly.
Curry and Earl both have a go at making up the last couple of metres. Freeman then tries to find Daly out wide, but the ball goes loose and Italy then win a penalty near enough on their own tryline.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:20 , Matt VerriAs expected, Smith has gone to full-back here after the Lawrence injury with Daly moving into the centres alongside Dingwall.
A very different look for England after so long with Slade-Lawrence as the first-choice pairing.
And Italy hit back! England are on the back foot after a little chip from Garbisi, with Italy working the ball right and Ioane putting boot to ball brilliantly.
TRY! England 7-7 Italy | Ange Capuozzo 14'
15:19 , Matt VerriBut Italy out of nowhere hit back!
Basically their first attack. Ioane sends a kick over the top, nobody is going to catch Capuozzo and it’s all on the bounce... perfect for the Italian full-back!
Great try, and Garbisi adds the extras.
England 7-0 Italy
15:18 , Matt Verri13 mins: The two Smiths combine for England, before Fin tries a clever crossfield kick for Daly.
Just too much on it, ball bobbles out of play. England are trying to be inventive - if they don’t do it today, they never will.
England 7-0 Italy
15:15 , Matt Verri11 mins: Capuozzo does well under the high ball, with three white shirts closing in on him.
Varney launches it up himself, rock solid from Sleightholme and now England have space.
Freeman seeing plenty of the ball already, good signs for England.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:12 , Matt VerriConcern here for England with Lawrence having gone down off the ball and in quite some pain. It doesn't look good. An early entrance for Marcus Smith.
A vital tackle there from Menoncello to stop Freeman from scoring in the right corner after Daly's pass, with England then losing the ball after piling on more pressure.
England 7-0 Italy
15:12 , Matt Verri8 mins: Suggestion that it’s a hamstring injury and that looks fairly serious.
Lawrence’s afternoon is over. Marcus Smith is on for what will be pretty much a full match from the bench.
England 7-0 Italy
15:10 , Matt Verri8 mins: Brilliant pass from Daly out to Freeman, who fancies his chances of bundling his way over the line... Menoncello halts his progress with a huge hit.
So good, in fact, that Italy turn it over.
Concern for England, though. Lawrence has gone down off the ball, looks to be a muscle injury.
England 7-0 Italy
15:08 , Matt Verri7 mins: First scrum of the match is England’s, after a knock-on by halfway.
Penalty advantage for England, as Lawrence bursts his way forward. Vintcent does well at the breakdown, so back for the penalty.
Smith kicks for touch, just inside the 22.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:06 , Matt VerriEngland counter-attack brilliantly after a timely strip inside their own half, lovely runs from Daly and Freeman.
Italy are powerless to stop them as Willis is brought down short of the line but stretches out a big arm to touch down his first international try.
TRY! England 7-0 Italy | Tom Willis 4'
15:05 , Matt VerriSmith flings it wide and Freeman can burst down the wing. He just about stays in touch and he has Curry on his inside.
England have quick ball in the Italian 22, Willis with a great line and he bulldozes his way through the tackle, stretching out an arm and touching the ball down.
Smith adds the extras.
George Flood at Twickenham
15:03 , Matt VerriEngland's first pass thrown is loose, to loud groans from the Twickenham crowd.
Not an ideal start, and now they've shipped a breakdown penalty. Encouraging early signs for Italy.
England 0-0 Italy
15:03 , Matt Verri2 mins: Earl penalised for not releasing, Italy with the penalty just inside their own half.
Garbisi has a big swing at the ball and finds touch around the England 22. Early chance for the Italians to get on the front foot.
KICK-OFF!
15:01 , Matt VerriUp and running at Twickenham!
Teams are out onto the pitch, time for the anthems.
Unfortunately for Italy, there aren’t any points on offer for this.
George Flood at Twickenham
14:55 , Matt VerriJamie George's daughter is a special guest this afternoon on the occasion of her dad's 100th Test cap.
George gets a really special reception as he comes out alone to soak up the adulation of the crowd before the rest of his team-mates.
Losing the captaincy before the Six Nations like he did in such surprise fashion might have derailed a lot of players and adversely affected their mindset, but he's remained a model professional throughout and is such a crucial part of this team still. He deserves a lot of credit - a fine servant of English rugby.
He is the seventh England men's player to reach the century mark, after Ben Youngs (127), Dan Cole (118), Jason Leonard (114), Owen Farrell (112), Courtney Lawes (105) and Danny Care (101).
A reminder that England are the only team in the Six Nations never to have lost to Italy, boasting a 100 per cent win record from their previous 31 encounters.
Steve Borthwick will hope that selecting five Northampton Saints in his backline will lead to some nice attacking cohesion. It would be six too, were it not for George Furbank's injury.
Pre-match thoughts from the Italy camp...
14:48 , Matt VerriJust over ten minutes to go until kick-off!
🗣️ "We've focused a lot on the basics of this game."
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
Gonzalo Quesada chats to @topsy_ojo as Italy look to get their first EVER win over England this afternoon 👀#GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/AhDINXb87Q
George Flood at Twickenham
14:46 , Matt VerriUsually the pre-match pyrotechnics at Twickenham provide a nice and very welcome burst of heat in chilly conditions, but certainly no need for that today.
It is absolutely glorious warmth and sunshine, most unusual conditions for a Six Nations game here - you could be forgiven for thinking we were in Rome!
France will be thinking if only they had this weather here a few weeks ago, then the Grand Slam would be very much on...
England vs Italy head-to-head
14:39 , Matt VerriEngland are the only team remaining in the Six Nations never to have lost to Italy, coming out on top in all 31 previous meetings dating back to 1991.
They trailed 17-14 in Rome at half-time last year, before coming back to win 27-24 on opening weekend.
Italy’s last trip to Twickenham in 2023 ended with a 31-14 bonus-point victory for the hosts, the first of Borthwick’s coaching tenure.
England wins: 31
Italy wins: 0
Draws: 0
George Flood at Twickenham
14:31 , Matt VerriItaly have made six changes today as Gonzalo Quesada desperately seeks a response to the sort of result against France that anyone connected to the Azzurri would have hoped was now firmly in the past after their impressive progress over recent years.
The return of Monty Ioane from a knee injury is huge on one wing, while Matt Gallagher on the other is a very interesting selection as the son of All Blacks World Cup winner John Gallagher makes his Six Nations debut and Ange Capuozzo moves to full-back, with Tommaso Allan among the replacements.
Former Gloucester stalwart Stephen Varney is at scrum-half, with Exeter's Ross Vintcent getting the nod at No8 and Giacomo Nicotera and Saracens' Marco Riccioni both coming into the front row.
In last year's player of the tournament Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex, Italy boast one of the finest centre pairings anywhere in the world that gave France plenty of problems with stylish tries before Les Bleus shifted into a different gear entirely in Rome a fortnight ago.
Genge hits back at England criticism
14:23 , Matt VerriEllis Genge has accepted sections of the England support are unhappy with the kick-heavy approach, but he questioned the level of criticism from former players.
"There is a feeling there, let's not be naive," he added.
"You can feel it that people were booing when we were playing. I love the fans, I think they're brilliant, I go round clapping them after every game.
"But post-game the ex-players, recently retired and long retired, and people from years and years ago... I just can't believe how out of touch they are.
"The spiel that I'm reading from people saying how off it we are. We won two games on the bounce and you're upset about it, I don't get it."
George Flood at Twickenham
14:17 , Matt VerriDropping Marcus Smith might not help England with that improved attack, with Elliot Daly - scorer of the last-gasp winning try against France - in at full-back this afternoon.
Fraser Dingwall is a surprise selection in the centres as he makes his first Test appearance for almost a year, with the firmly established midfield partnership of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence broken up.
The pack is unchanged, with a special day in store for former captain Jamie George as he earns his 100th cap.
In the building!
14:09 , Matt VerriEngland have arrived at HQ...
Boys in the house 👊@ContiUK | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/nie0YGyExq
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 9, 2025
George set for landmark appearance
14:01 , Matt VerriJamie George will earn his 100th cap for England this afternoon.
The 34-year-old lost the captaincy ahead of the Six Nations, a decision that left him doubting his international future.
"It was hard, it was difficult, it was frustrating and obviously then that makes you question if you can do it," George told BBC Sport.
"I won't lie and say it didn't go through my head [finishing his England career] because I didn't really know how logistically it would work and if it would be too awkward to be coming back in. I didn't want to tread on any toes.
"But ultimately it was 'what is your gut feel?’ Initially I didn't know if I could go back, but I watched the Ireland game [England’s first match of the Six Nations] and all I wanted to do was be back on that field because I missed it."
George Flood at Twickenham
13:51 , Matt VerriEngland's luck has finally changed over the last few weeks with a series of agonising close defeats to fellow Tier One nations giving way to back-to-back fortuitous one-point wins over France and Scotland.
But there's still a sense of obvious frustration among fans with the style of play under Steve Borthwick, with the positive signs in attack seen against France regressing hugely in the Calcutta Cup as the amount of relentless kicking on show led to boos from the stands.
Italy will no doubt be eager to respond to that drubbing by France and restore some pride with an angry Ireland heading to Rome next week, but England really need to show far more verve and ambition this afternoon.
Itoje: Narrow England wins a good experience
13:41 , Matt VerriEngland captain Maro Itoje joked that head coach Steve Borthwick will lose more of his hair if they keep being involved in nail-biting wins.
For the second Six Nations game in a row, England won by a solitary point as they defeated Scotland 16-15 at Twickenham a fortnight ago.
Fin Smith was the hero for England as his long-range penalty proved to be the winning kick.
Scotland, however, suffered heartbreak as Finn Russell missed a late conversion, his third of the match, and they blew the chance to win the Test.
“I think they are good experiences for the team to go through for the growth of this team,” said Itoje.
“We have been on the end of some negative results, tight in the last moment of games. Now we are, I guess, finding a way to win these tight exchanges and I think all these experiences build the character of the team.
“Hopefully we can keep on building, but it would be nice if it wasn’t so narrow at the end.
“We will work hard to try and make it a little bit easier. I think more of his [Borthwick’s] hair might fall out if we keep doing this.”
How it stands...
13:32 , Matt VerriFrance in control of the Six Nations title race after their stunning display in Dublin.
England can move up to second and close the gap with a bonus-point win here, but that points difference is a problem.
France have an advantage of more than 100 points as it stands - England need to eat into a big chunk of that here.
If they do, they can at least ask the question of whether Les Blues can deliver under pressure on the final weekend.
Here is how the table looks after the first 2 games of the weekend in Round 4 of the Guinness Men's Six Nations!
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 8, 2025
England host Italy tomorrow! #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/tem9sC07Fy
George Flood at Twickenham
13:23 , Matt VerriA lovely sunny day at Allianz Stadium Twickenham, where the conditions are perfect for some decent running rugby as England play their penultimate Six Nations fixture against Italy.
France's statement win in Dublin yesterday means that England are still in this title race, but they need a massive favour from Scotland in Paris on Super Saturday.
That is the final game on the last day, so England know they need to beat Italy and Wales before that, with no less than a winning bonus point acceptable this afternoon against a wounded Italy side who shipped 73 points at home to France in an absolute demolition last time out.
Standard Sport prediction
13:16 , Matt VerriIt is difficult to make a proper assessment of Borthwick’s England at the moment or indeed get an accurate handle on what the real expectations are, with close defeats after generally good performances and fortuitous narrow wins after bad.
Victories over Italy and Wales would see them achieve the feat of four Six Nations wins that seemed very ambitious when initially set by the RFU before the tournament and continue to make Borthwick’s job safer, and they are still in the title race.
But there’s not much joy and optimism around the place despite the shock last-gasp win over France and wrestling back the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020, with fans clearly remaining unhappy with the style of play and nature of their performances, which involves few phases and a hell of a lot of kicking.
Scotland dominated much of the game a fortnight ago and showcased a brand of rugby that would quieten even the most hardened naysayers at HQ, with England’s attack so painfully stilted again and no chance at sustained ball in hand for any of their main threats, a major regression on the encouraging improvements seen against France.
It often seems that England can never manage to marry a solid defensive display with an exciting attacking showing, but they have the chance to change that this weekend against an Italy team who should not be underestimated.
Dropping Marcus Smith feels harsh and the changes made are hardly likely to get supporters overly excited, but there is more than enough quality and attacking nous in the team to put on a bit of a show, while the heavy Northampton contingent should allow for impressive back cohesion.
England to win, by 15 points.
England vs Italy lineups
13:06 , Matt VerriEngland XV: Daly; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, George, Stuart; Itoje, Chessum; T Curry, Earl, Willis
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Heyes, Hill, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Van Poortvliet, M Smith
Italy XV: Capuozzo; Ioane, Brex, Menoncello, Gallagher; P Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Riccioni; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c) Vintcent
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Ferrari, Favretto, Zuliani, L Cannone, Page-Relo, Allan
Italy team news
12:53Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made six changes to the team thumped by France, with Monty Ioane returning from injury on one wing and former England Under-20 international Matt Gallagher - son of New Zealand’s 1987 World Cup winner John Gallagher - on the other as he makes his Six Nations debut.
Ange Capuozzo switches to full-back as Tommaso Allan drops to the bench and Simone Gesi from the squad altogether.
Stephen Varney replaces Martin Page-Relo at scrum-half, while in the pack Giacomo Nicotera is back in at hooker for Gianmarco Lucchesi and Marco Riccioni replaces Simone Ferrari at tighthead prop.
The other change is in the back row, where Ross Vintcent is preferred to Lorenzo Cannone at No8. Jacopo Trulla drops out of the squad along with Alessandro Garbisi.
England team news
12:46 , Matt VerriDespite needing some greater attacking ingenuity for this game, Steve Borthwick has dropped Marcus Smith to the bench with the experienced Elliot Daly - who scored the last-gasp winning try as a replacement against France in round two - in at full-back with Fin Smith now with a firm grip on that starting fly-half shirt.
England’s only other change from the 16-15 win over Scotland is in the centres, where the established Henry Slade-Ollie Lawrence partnership is broken up as the former makes way for Fraser Dingwall.
That means that five of the starting backline are team-mates from Northampton Saints, and it would surely be six if George Furbank weren’t currently out injured.
The pack is unchanged, with former captain Jamie George set to earn his 100th Test cap at hooker, while Tom Curry and Tom Willis have both proven their fitness to start in the back row.
It’s a 6-2 bench split again from Borthwick, but with Jack van Poortvliet replacing Harry Randall as scrum-half cover.
How to watch England vs Italy
12:39 , Matt VerriTV channel: England vs Italy is being broadcast live and free-to-air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 2:15pm GMT.
Live stream: ITVX will also be providing a free live stream service online, with only a registration needed.
Live blog: Follow the game right here with us, featuring expert analysis from George Flood at the ground.
Good afternoon!
12:33 , Matt VerriHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England vs Italy!
Nothing but a bonus-point win will do for England this afternoon, as they look to take their Six Nations title ambitions into the final weekend.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 3pm GMT from Twickenham!
