| England (19) 31 |
| tries to: Willis, Chesham, George, Penalty, Arundel Shortcoming: Pharrell 2 |
| Italy (0) 14 |
| tries to: Riccioni, Fusco Who: allen 2 |
England earned the primary win of Steve Borthwick’s tenure with a sensible bonus-point victory over Italy within the Six Nations at Twickenham.
Jack Willis marked his return with an early attempt earlier than being powered in by Ollie Chesham for the second.
Jamie George added the third from shut vary however Italy hit again after a Marco Riccioni break.
A penalty attempt sealed the bonus and Henry Arundel scored the fifth, whereas Alessandro Fusco claimed the comfort.
The win for the hosts – their thirtieth in 30 fixtures in opposition to Italy – strikes them into third place within the desk above defending champions France on factors distinction, whereas Italy drop to fifth.
Borthwick’s males journey to Cardiff to face Wales of their subsequent recreation on 25 February, after the following weekend break, the Azzurri host world primary group Ireland earlier on the identical day.
weak england bought the job finished
After a slender opening spherical defeat by Scotland, the duty for England was easy: beat perennial Six Nations underperformers Italy and construct on the momentum at first of the Borthwick period.
The dominant goal might have been achieved, however for 70 minutes it was a far cry from England’s previous efficiency.
Captain Owen Farrell, moved to fly-half from inside centre, regarded for territory however gave away possession when the hosts had the ball at foot, and Henry Slade had a quiet play on his return to exterior middle however Ollie Lawrence performed arduous and confronted a new-look midfield.
Willis was a outstanding performer, tirelessly attempting to do something within the royal blue shirt earlier than being rewarded for his defensive effort early on.
The Toulouse again row was the beneficiary as England made a line-out transfer from the coaching paddock and made their manner over the road.
Ellis Geng confirmed a deft hand to provide Chesham a second after inviting contact near the road and popping the ball to complete off his former Leicester Tigers team-mate.
The line-out ladder has turn into synonymous together with his warm-up contributions alongside former lock Borthwick and his pack, and the arduous work seems to be paying off as George fumbles the ball earlier than becoming a member of up behind Maul and ending third.
A penalty was tried after the interval as Italy have been penalized for his or her indiscipline on the breakdown, however one of many loudest cheers got here when the thrilling Arundel was launched off the bench as Twickenham yearned for extra free-flowing rugby. Had been.
The winger had a couple of touches, however he was readily available to capitalize as fellow substitute Alex Mitchell noticed a spot within the tiring Azzurri protection late on and let him dart by way of and into the nook for an acrobatic end. fed.
Arundel complemented a midfield that improved on the earlier week’s efficiency as Ollie Lawrence labored arduous inside middle whereas captain Owen Farrell took his facet off the entrance foot.
Young Italy facet continues to enhance
Italy have been near a serious upset of their opening recreation in opposition to final yr’s Grand Slam winners France, however they in the end did not see it by way of.
Facing England at Twickenham earlier has been a totally totally different act. The Azzurri had not crushed England in any of their 29 makes an attempt earlier than Sunday, however they performed with a fluidity their hosts lacked.
They had extra possession (52%) and made 286 extra meters than England to maintain the ball alive.
The guests didn’t hassle the scorers within the first 40 minutes, however Riccioni scored a robust burst to mark his first worldwide begin since November 2021, as many spectators inside Twickenham have been nonetheless of their seats at first of the second half. did not come again.
Ange Capuzzo was a relentless menace as he ran throughout the turf and out of hassle a number of occasions. A second attempt was scored by way of Fusco, who rode the deal with and dived throughout the stretch to provide the touring followers a glimmer of hope.
Lorenzo Cannone was within the sin bin whereas Italy’s indiscipline noticed them concede two first-half tries, however their attacking intent ought to be recommended as this younger facet – with a mean age of 26 – employed quick-fires. continues to provide. Play.
man of the Match
what did they are saying
Former England scrum-half Danny Care on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I think Steve Borthwick and the coach will be pleased. England went back to basics, they kicked well and attacked well, and were clinical when they got their chances.
“One factor is for certain that England are going to play higher groups than they did at present. Going into Wales, Wales haven’t finished properly on this match and they are going to be pitching in in opposition to England.”
“But away from residence in Ireland and France, that’s the place we are going to get a sign of how good this England group is.
“Fair game to Italy they hung in there. I think if everything comes together they will beat anyone in this tournament.”
line-up
England: Flight Attendant; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Hassell-Collins; Farrell (C), Van Portvliet; Geng, George, Sinkler; Itoje, Chesam; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Replacement: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Isikwe, Earl, Mitchell, M Smith, Arundel.
Italy: capozzo; Padovani, Breaux, Morrissey, Menoncello; Allen, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Riccioni, N Canon, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro, El Canon
Replacement: Biggy, Zani, Ferrari, Ichizzi, Poledry, Juliani, Fusco, Bruno
match official
Referee: James Dolman (NZL)
Touch judges: Matthew Raynal (Female) and Tule Trenini (Female)
TMO: Eric Gouzins (from)
With inputs from BBC
