It might not have matched the terrible beauty of France’s second-half destruction of Ireland in Dublin, but this was comfortably England’s best performance of the championship, and their seven-try victory over Italy not only kept their Six Nations title hopes alive ahead of the final round but also delivered a timely boost to their attacking confidence.
There was much to saviour, and in gloriously warm sunshine, the cheers have replaced the boos from the Twickenham crowd after the box-kicking limitations of their victory over Scotland.
England have talked a lot about their attacking intentions during this championship, but this was the first evidence of that progress, having placed a major emphasis on working on attack during their fallow week camp in York.
Impressively, England coped with the major setback with the loss of Ollie Lawrence in the first 10 minutes, with Marcus Smith returning at full-back from the bench, to attack with ambition and potent shape.
There were some defensive lapses, and Italy delivered some sumptuous moments in scoring three tries – including a contender for try of the championship by Ross Vintcent – but like France were able to do against Ireland, England took complete control of the contest early into the second half, with tries by Marcus Smith, Tom Curry and a second for Ollie Sleightholme.
The only frustration for Steve Borthwick will be the injuries that mounted up, and his side’s inability to maintain their intensity in the final quarter, although at least a late try by Ben Earl took the margin of victory to 23 points.
France should still go on to win the Six Nations by defeating Scotland in Paris, but England head to Cardiff at least with some hope in their hearts.
And just a day after Ireland’s Lions contenders suffered a setback in the defeat by France, we are seeing a number of red rose players step up. Tom Curry was immense, as were Tom Willis, Ollie Chessum and Will Stuart, while Fin Smith and Elliot Daly are also likely to have caught the eye of Andy Farrell.
05:36 PM GMT
Kyle Sinckler on ITV
05:27 PM GMT
Your views
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Stephen Murphy: “Well done to England, a resounding victory against Italy at home. I thought Marcus Smith had a great game at full back, that should cement his place in the team in that position. Borthwick got his tactics spot on, he’ll be in charge until after the 2031 World Cup for sure. Especially if England secure a 2nd place finish. Special mention to the ref who had a very good game, fair for both sides and let the game flow.”
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Robert Collins: “Jamie George what a star, and well played Italy great game.”
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Andrew Logan: “A predictable win for England at home, but what makes me smile is that they did it by playing some very good rugby. Chessum was superb, as were the Curry twins. I also thought that Fin Smith put to bed any doubt as to who should be England’s starting 10.”
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Steve Britton: “We’ve gone from poor to very good, excellent may take a game or two more. We won! Took all the points, great! A flat twenty mins can be worked on. Another set of max points at Cardiff and Scotland doing a job on France, the world’s our oyster. Fingers crossed.”
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Muriel Allen: “Good to see England play running rugby. It makes a change.”
05:25 PM GMT
Jamie George talking to ITV
05:20 PM GMT
Maro Itoje speaking post-match
05:19 PM GMT
Player ratings
After a nip-tuck first-half, England pulled away from Italy in the second half and produced some of their best attacking rugby of the Six Nations to boot.
The victory now keeps England in the hunt to win the Six Nations along with France, Ireland and – remotely – Scotland heading into the final weekend of action.
Here Telegraph Sport gives you the verdict on the performances on both sides.
05:17 PM GMT
Jonny Wilkinson on ITV
05:15 PM GMT
The thoughts of Italy captain Michele Lamaro
“We were very inconsistent, we lost a bit of consistency in the game, had brilliant moments but were switching off in some periods and at the start of the second half conceded two clear opportunities.
“Obviously they are a great team so took it. We need to work on that, we need to stay together because we have another massive week and massive game.”
05:14 PM GMT
How things stand going into final round next weekend
05:09 PM GMT
Got a question for James Haskell and Mike Tindall?
Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
05:08 PM GMT
Post match thoughts of Ollie Chessum
05:08 PM GMT
Special day for Jamie George
05:07 PM GMT
Answering your questions
Charles Richardson is currently on hand to answer all your questions and respond to your views on the game. You can have your say in the comments section at the bottom of the blog.
05:05 PM GMT
Still in contention
05:05 PM GMT
Telegraph Reader offer
04:57 PM GMT
How did today’s game affect your Lions team?
Pick your 37-man Lions squad.
04:56 PM GMT
Next weekend’s final-round fixtures
Italy vs Ireland 2.15pm
Wales vs England 4.45pm
France vs Scotland 8pm
04:55 PM GMT
This weekend’s results
Yesterday:
Ireland 27-42 France
Scotland 35-29 Wales
Today:
England 47-24 Italy
04:54 PM GMT
Full time
That is it at Allianz Stadium and England have beaten Italy 47-24. Steve Borthwick’s men move into second place, just one point behind leaders France going into the final round of matches next weekend.
04:53 PM GMT
TRY! Earl finishes it off after B Curry brilliance
England finish the game off with a try! B Curry steals the ball brilliantly at a breakdown on the Italian 22 and sprints towards the line. He offloads to his left to find Earl, who goes over for the try. F Smith misses the conversion to the left.
04:51 PM GMT
80 mins: England 42 Italy 24
Cowan-Dickie breaks from the maul and is brought down a few metres shy. England are then penalised for sealing off so the chance is gone.
04:51 PM GMT
79 mins: England 42 Italy 24
Chessum takes Cowan-Dickie’s throw brilliantly and then England are awarded another penalty, which F Smith sends back into the corner for a five-metre lineout.
04:50 PM GMT
78 mins: England 42 Italy 24
Play is halted as Gallagher has gone down and he is going to have to go off, with Capuozzo coming back on.
England win a scrum penalty on halfway and kick into the Italy 22 for a great attacking opportunity late on in this match.
04:46 PM GMT
76 mins: England 42 Italy 24
A combination of injury disruptions (Ben Earl is currently playing at centre) and a drop off of their intensity and precision have culminated in England’s second-half charge stalling. In the fractured play, Italy have managed to regroup and a third try, by Menoncello, will be hugely frustrating for Steve Borthwick and unlikely to make for a comfortable review on tomorrow.
04:43 PM GMT
74 mins: England 42 Italy 24
England are going to be forced into a change in the backs with Dingwall bleeding quite a lot from his head. Hill is going to come on for him, which will see Earl move from the back-row into the centres.
Italy then knock on just outside the England 22.
04:42 PM GMT
73 mins: England 42 Italy 24
England are penalised for going off their feet at the breakdown on halfway. Baxter is the guilty party. Italy will now have a lineout on the England 22.
04:41 PM GMT
TRY! Menoncello over for Italy’s third
The game is gone for the visitors but they have their third try. A superb solo effort from Zuliani nearly sees him over but he is hauled down just shy of the line. Menoncello is then found just a few metres shy of the line, running a strong line, and there is no stopping him. The conversion is successful.
04:40 PM GMT
70 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Capuozzo catches van Poortvliet out with a kick, which results in an Italian lineout not far outside the England 22.
That is Capuozzo’s final act as he is replaced by former Harlequins man Allan.
04:38 PM GMT
69 mins: England 42 Italy 17
England are penalised, gifting Italy an easy out.
04:37 PM GMT
68 mins: England 42 Italy 17
The play is scrappy and England are forced back before kicking ahead. Italy then clear but the TMO has stepped in to confirm that Capuozzo had stepped into touch inside his own 22.
04:35 PM GMT
67 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Great work from B Curry at the breakdown on halfway wins England a penalty. They kick just into the Italian 22.
04:33 PM GMT
65 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Italy win a penalty just outside the England 22 and kick to the corner. The game has got away from them in this second half but they will want to finish with a flourish. However P Garbisi’s offload inside to Gallagher goes forward.
04:31 PM GMT
64 mins: England 42 Italy 17
A strange sensation in this second half: England 25 points clear and their attack finally starting to fire against a bedraggled Italy, and yet a curiously somnolent atmosphere in the stands, with a Mexican wave breaking out under the late afternoon sun.
04:30 PM GMT
63 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Mitchell’s day is over as he is replaced by van Poortvliet, who is on for his first appearance in this Six Nations.
04:28 PM GMT
62 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Just a day after Ireland’s Lions contenders suffered a setback in the defeat by France, we are seeing a number of red rose players step up. Tom Curry has been immense, as have Tom Willis, Ollie Chessum and Will Stuart, while Fin Smith and Elliot Daly are also likely to have caught the eye of Andy Farrell.
04:27 PM GMT
61 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Much to our surprise, Earl is back on as it was only a blood change. England steal possession at the lineout through Chessum and they can clear their lines.
04:26 PM GMT
60 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Itoje is penalised for a high tackle just inside the Italy half and the visitors take it quickly. They win another penalty as England illegally play the nine. Italy kick into the England 22 as the hosts make a double change in the front-row as Baxter and Heyes replace Genge and Stuart.
04:23 PM GMT
58 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Hill charges down a kick on the edge of the Italian 22 but Cunningham-South cannot take advantage. Had he picked that up cleanly he could have had a try there.
04:22 PM GMT
56 mins: England 42 Italy 17
T Curry has had another great game but is back down on the ground receiving some treatment. Surely it would be sensible to take him off considering this game is now won? Steve Borthwick has heard me and is doing the right thing by taking him off. Hill is on to replace him. Another outstanding performance from T Curry.
04:19 PM GMT
54 mins: England 42 Italy 17
Allianz Stadium stands to applaud centurion George as he makes his way off to be replaced by Cowan-Dickie, who shares a warm embrace with his hooker companion.
04:17 PM GMT
TRY! Sleightholme at the double
Sublime try from England and they are enjoying themselves in the west London sunshine. Italy lose the ball on their 22 and Itoje powers forwards. After a series of very neat offloads from B Curry, Mitchell and the finally centurion George, Sleightholme dots down in the corner with a good finish with defenders right around him. F Smith nails another conversion and England’s lead is now up to 25 points.
04:16 PM GMT
52 mins: England 35 Italy 17
Brex reads the play so well, hitting Daly well behind the gain line, forcing England to kick from halfway.
04:14 PM GMT
50 mins: England 35 Italy 17
Earl’s day is over as he is limping off, forcing a second change in the back-row with Cunningham-South coming on. T Curry has been receiving some treatment as well but he is fine to continue.
Ollie Lawrence off, Ben Earl off, Tom Curry limping… Steve Borthwick has picked a six-two bench – and Chandler Cunnignham-South is on to replace Earl – but you cannot help but to think about what sort of shape England might be in upon arrival in Cardiff. Oscar Beard and Henry Pollock, come on down for Test debuts?
04:10 PM GMT
TRY! T Curry powers over from close range
England have their fifth try and T Curry has deserved that off the back of another impressive performance. He burrows over from close range and England are starting to move away from Italy. Another successful conversion from F Smith and England are up to 35 points. T Curry did come away from scoring that try with a bit of a limp so hopefully he is fine.
Marcus Smith will steal the headlines with that finish, but what a side-step from Will Stuart. The Bath prop endured a tough time last year, but he is emerging as one of England’s players of the championship and put himself firmly in contention for Lions selection. His carry through the tackle of Brex generated the front foot ball and perfect offload by Tom Curry, another Lions certainty, created the hole for Smith to finish. With Curry powering over for England’s fifth try moments later, this contest is effectively over. England’s task now is to run up a huge score, not just for the championship but their own confidence.
04:09 PM GMT
47 mins: England 28 Italy 17
England set the maul and get it rolling to within five metres of the line. T Curry breaks out and England are knocking on the door...
04:08 PM GMT
46 mins: England 28 Italy 17
B Curry is on for Willis and Ben’s brother Tom wins England a penalty on halfway, which England kick into the Italian 22.
04:07 PM GMT
TRY! Solo brilliance from M Smith gives England bonus point
He may have been dropped but he is on the scoresheet in impressive style. It originates from a good carry from Stuart towards the Italy 22. Then from the next phase the ball is offloaded expertly by T Curry to M Smith, who skips his way through to score a great solo try. F Smith gets the conversion and England lead by 11.
04:05 PM GMT
42 mins: England 21 Italy 17
Italy shoot themselves in the foot as they go flying off their feet at the breakdown inside the England 22.
Meanwhile on the bench Lawrence has crutches next to him and a boot on. That looks like quite a serious injury.
04:04 PM GMT
41 mins: England 21 Italy 17
T Curry is penalised for being adjudged to have not released Capuozzo, whom he had tackled on halfway. T Curry ripped the ball away just as referee Andrew Brace said Capuozzo was down so a slightly harsh penalty to give. Italy kick to the England 22.
04:02 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way at Allianz Stadium. Will England get the job done to potentially move into second in the table with one game left or can Italy claim their first victory over the hosts?
Hardly a novel gripe, but the half-time ‘music’ at Twickenham is truly dreadful, with a DJ and a saxophonist conjuring derivative techno at a volume that makes any attempts at conversation in the crowd redundant. You wonder if the RFU has any conception of its average match-going demographic.
03:58 PM GMT
“Wide-open contest”
What a compelling half. Three tries by England is a product of their most fluent attacking play of the championship, with the combination of Fin Smith and Elliot Daly able to expose Italy’s defence in the wide channels. England have been largely crisp and accurate and the emphasis on their attacking game during the fallow week in York, has clearly had an impact. The cheers have replaced the boos from the Twickenham crowd after the box-kicking limitations of their victory over Scotland.
Yet this contest remains wide-open. Italy have not been overwhelmed and have also put together some brilliant attacking play.
Their second try by Ross Vintcent is already a contender for try of the championship, with the No 8 displaying the finishing instinct and ability of a winger to race home after a sumptuous dummy after an incisive break by Ange Capuozzo. Their first try was also well-crafted, with first a kick by Paolo Garbisi to Juan Ignacio Brex opening up England’s defence and then another chip ahead by Monty Ioane putting Capuozzo over.
The loss of Ollie Lawrence so early in the contest has been a setback for England, and Marcus Smith still does not look comfortable at full-back, but England’s tempo and attacking shape should enable Steve Borthwick’s side to push on for a comprehensive victory in the second half, just as France did to Ireland in Dublin on Saturday.
03:54 PM GMT
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Ask it here and come back on Monday lunchtime for the answer.
03:53 PM GMT
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03:51 PM GMT
“Genge incensed”
Big maul stop on the stroke of half-time from England, with Ollie Chessum and Tom Curry in the thick of it. They are in a scrap here, and have to be careful not to lose referee Andrew Brace entirely. Brace was still chatting to Maro Itoje as the players left the pitch and Ellis Genge joined the conversation. He was incensed about the penalty that Brace awarded to make it 21-17, and it did look as though Ross Vintcent tackled him off the ball.
03:49 PM GMT
Stat alert!
03:48 PM GMT
HT verdict
While the patterns of previous England-Italy contests would suggest that the home side will streak away in the second half, there is no disguising the fact that Ange Capuozzo is the most luminous talent on display so far. The Toulouse full-back is truly lethal in open play, stepping past Jamie George with ease to unleash a charging Ross Vintcent. The subdued mood at Twickenham as Paolo Garbisi trims Italy’s half-time deficit to four points says it all – there is some genuine scoreboard pressure on England here.
03:48 PM GMT
Half time
England do brilliantly to disrupt the maul and that will be that for the first half. At the break England lead 21-17 in an end-to-end contest so far.
03:47 PM GMT
40 mins: England 21 Italy 17
Italy win a scrum penalty on the England 10-metre line, with Stuart the guilty party. The clock is just hitting red but Italy want to play on, kicking into the England 22 for the final play of the half.
03:44 PM GMT
PENALTY ITALY!
It is the easiest of kicks for P Garbisi and England’s lead is down to four.
03:44 PM GMT
37 mins: England 21 Italy 14
That is so poor from England. Rather than clearing their lines, they concede a penalty inside their own 22 in front of their posts for sealing off by Genge, who is fuming that his foot was being pulled back. I think he has a point! Anyway P Garbisi is lining up three points.
03:41 PM GMT
TRY! Sleightholme puts England back ahead
The quick tap works. England shift it out to the left wing and Sleightholme goes over in the corner. Play at speed and you get your reward! From right on the left touchline F Smith nails a tough kick. England lead 21-14 and are one try away from the bonus point.
03:40 PM GMT
34 mins: England 14 Italy 14
Freeman offloads brilliantly to Chessum down the right touchline and the Leicester lock bundles his way into the Italy 22. England win the penalty and take it quickly...
03:37 PM GMT
TRY! Vintcent scores stunner for the visitors
What a try! Capuozzo is so dangerous with open field to run into and he cuts England open from inside his own half. He makes the break through the England defence and offloads to Vintcent, who dummies and then has the pace to run through untouched. He is a number eight but has great speed. P Garbisi gets the conversion and we are back on level terms in west London.
Superb from Ross Vintcent, and really sloppy from England. It was the connection between Ben Earl and Jamie George that was lacerated by Ange Capuozzo and it looked all too easy from there. Game on.
03:37 PM GMT
31 mins: England 14 Italy 7
That is a gift for England. Italy have too many receivers at the lineout and England are awarded a free-kick.
03:36 PM GMT
30 mins: England 14 Italy 7
England’s ill-discipline in this game is continuing as Italy have another penalty just inside the England half. P Garbisi kicks just into the England 22 and this is a good attacking opportunity for the visitors.
03:33 PM GMT
TRY! Freeman capitalises on Italian sloppiness
What is Capuozzo doing? England have possession just inside the Italian half and put the kick through via the boot of Daly. Capuozzo turns very slowly and Freeman capitalises on that. He gets to the ball just before it goes into touch five metres out and eases through the pathetic tackle of P Garbisi. F Smith gets the conversion and England’s lead is back up to seven points.
England needed that Tommy Freeman try, because they had been flat since Ollie Lawrence’s injury and Italy deserved to be ahead… Paolo Garbisi’s miss from the tee at 7-7 was horrible. you could argue that Lawrence was the player that England could least afford to lose. I wonder whether there was any temptation to move Freeman to 13 or even to switch Ben Earl from the back row to the backline. For the past two weeks, England have spoken about how Italy hoist contestable kicks. They have been doing that onto the head of Marcus Smith and will continue to do so…
A well-executed move with Willis once again giving England front-foot ball, but instead of seeking contact, he passes the ball out the back to Fin Smith and with Elliot Daly sweeping to the right, his kick bounced kindly for Tommy Freeman to score England’s second. This contest may not have the blistering intensity of the Ireland v France game, but the Twickenham crowd are being served up some intelligent rugby, with Italy playing their part splendidly.
03:33 PM GMT
27 mins: England 7 Italy 7
Despite some pretty good evidence to the contrary, referee Andrew Brace says there was a clear, legal sack. Strange call and Italy have definitely got away with one there.
03:32 PM GMT
26 mins: England 7 Italy 7
England should have capitalised there but they are claiming Italy illegally brought down the maul. The rolling maul is brought down and then Itoje is held up. Referee Andrew Brace consults the touch judge on that side and believes that it was brought down legally as a tackle. However looking at the replays it appears Fischetti has come in illegally from the side and brought it down illegally. We are going for a TMO review...
03:30 PM GMT
25 mins: England 7 Italy 7
Italy are the side now to concede a penalty as Ruzza does not wrap his arms around a tackle on M Smith. No thought of three points for England as they kick to the corner and it is a terrific kick to give them a five-metre lineout.
03:28 PM GMT
24 mins: England 7 Italy 7
The injury to Lawrence has forced England to reshape their attack. The Bath centre had been England’s midfield target man in the opening exchanges, with his direct running and offload putting Ben Earl into space. With Elliot Daly switching to outside centre Steve Borthwick’s side have lost a carrying threat, but with Marcus Smith at full-back now, they have gained a playmaker.
03:27 PM GMT
23 mins: England 7 Italy 7
What a big miss! It is a kick that P Garbisi should be getting pretty much every time but somehow misses the chance to give Italy the lead for the first time today.
03:26 PM GMT
22 mins: England 7 Italy 7
Another penalty for Italy, this time on the England 22. Already four penalties conceded by the hosts and Italy opt for the three points...
03:25 PM GMT
21 mins: England 7 Italy 7
Italy win a penalty at the lineout on halfway as Chessum is punished for taking the man out in the air and they kick towards the England 22.
03:22 PM GMT
17 mins: England 7 Italy 7
England are just five metres out from the Italian line and Freeman attempts the offload outside him to Daly but Gallagher knocks it down, backwards, to steal possession for the visitors and then Italy win a penalty, which will allow them to clear their lines.
03:20 PM GMT
16 mins: England 7 Italy 7
England win a penalty on the Italian 10-metre line and turn down the chance of three points. They instead kick towards the corner and have a lineout 10 metres out...
03:17 PM GMT
TRY! Capuozzo hits back for the visitors
Italy have responded despite barely being in this match! The visitors shift it out to the right win and Ioane chips ahead from just outside the England 22. Capuozzo takes it on the bounce and scores. P Garbisi lands the conversion and we are all square in the west London sunshine.
03:13 PM GMT
10 mins: England 7 Italy 0
Italy stand up defensively, pushing England back and ultimately forcing the ball to be dropped and they can steal possession before clearing their lines.
It has to be a confounding experience being Marcus Smith in this England set-up. He started this tournament feted as the team’s future at fly-half, found the jersey wrested away by namesake Fin after one game, then suffered the ignominy of being relegated to the replacements with Elliot Daly’s shift to full-back. But now Ollie Lawrence’s early injury tilts his fortunes once more, gifting him 72 precious minutes with which to reassert his credentials. You could see him practising his signature sidesteps as he came on – this is a critical juncture in his career.
03:12 PM GMT
9 mins: England 7 Italy 0
Lawrence is being helped onto the cart and is coming off in some pain. M Smith was dropped from the starting XV for this game but not even 10 minutes into the match he is on. He will come on at fullback whilst Daly will move into the centres.
There was a knock-on from Italy when play was stopped so England will have the scrum five metres out from the Italian line.
A firecracker of an opening by England. The gloriously warm sunshine has given the contest a Barbarian-feel, but England need tries to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive, and Tom Willis’s try has set the tone for the points chase. The Saracens No 8 has had a big impact in the opening exchanges and it was his harrying of Italy scrum-half Stephen Varney that won the turnover in England’s half that culminated in his try. There is a good shape to England’s attack and after Elliot Daly had made yards up the left hand side, Fin Smith put Tommy Freeman in the clear down the right-hand side and his inside pass found Tom Curry before Willis powered over. But an injury to Ollie Lawrence has ended his match. Here comes Marcus...
03:10 PM GMT
8 mins: England 7 Italy 0
That is brilliant defending from Menoncello. Inside the Italian 22, England work it out to the right, where Freeman cuts inside and looks destined to score but Menoncello comes across with a huge hit on Freeman. He then wins the turnover for the visitors just metres from the Italian line.
England are going to be forced into an early change here as Lawrence is down with what is thought to be a hamstring injury.
03:08 PM GMT
7 mins: England 7 Italy 0
England earn a scrum penalty advantage just inside their own half and Lawrence makes good ground down the left. They make good ground towards the Italian 22 before the visitors create a turnover but we go back to the England penalty. That was quite a long advantage I have to say.
03:04 PM GMT
TRY! Willis powers over for first score of the afternoon
England are on the board early! F Smith finds Freeman down the right and the Northampton winger sprints down the touchline towards the 22. He offloads inside to T Curry, who powers his way through a few tackles inside the Italy 22. The ball is recycled quickly and Willis cannot be stopped from scoring. F Smith nails the conversion and England lead 7-0. That was England’s first foray ball in hand into the Italy 22 and they were clinical.
Early days, but positive signs of intent from England, even from their first possession when they conceded a (dubious) breakdown penalty. Elliot Daly’s ambition in the back-field, after a spill from Stephen Varney, makes that try.
03:04 PM GMT
3 mins: England 0 Italy 0
Varney knocks on just outside the England 22 and the hosts come forward through Daly. F Smith sends a long pass out to the right and England are motoring...
03:02 PM GMT
2 mins: England 0 Italy 0
Italy are awarded the first penalty of the afternoon as Earl is punished for holding on just inside the visitors half. P Garbisi kicks to touch just outside the England 22.
03:01 PM GMT
Kick-off
We are under way at Allianz Stadium. Perfect conditions in west London for some running rugby!
02:55 PM GMT
Anthem time
Jamie George, winning his 100th cap today, leads England out to rapturous applause at Allianz Stadium with his daughter in his arms and it is time for the national anthems. “Il Canto degli Italiani” will be followed by “God Save The King”. I think I am not alone in saying I am a huge fan of the Italian national anthem. If you are an Italian rugby player and you are not motivated by your national anthem I do not know what will. In a different sport, Lewis Hamilton has admitted he might have to learn the Italian national anthem now he has joined Ferrari! Plenty of tears in the eyes of the Italian players.
I have seen a few of these milestones and that reception for Jamie George is the loudest I can remember. A hugely popular figure and an outstanding player. He has a big part to play today, because England will want a composed, accurate performance.
02:51 PM GMT
Reminder of the teams
England starting 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 starting 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.
02:48 PM GMT
Pre-match thoughts of Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada
02:47 PM GMT
One for the summer
Henry Pollock is bouncing around as part of the England warm-up, running with the replacements and non-23 players against the starters. I think that is the first time he has done that for a Test match after a few weeks in camp, and there seems to be no doubt that he is being prepared for a spot on the summer tour to Argentina and USA. One suspects he would be with his under-20 colleagues otherwise. The 20-year-old is donning his trademark head-tape, which is enjoyable.
02:46 PM GMT
Maro Itoje speaking to ITV
02:43 PM GMT
Your views
02:41 PM GMT
Jonny Wilkinson on ITV
02:37 PM GMT
The 10 best pubs to watch Six Nations rugby
4. Cabbage Patch, Twickenham
Arguably the most famous rugby pub of them all, named after Twickenham’s famous moniker. There might be some surprise to not see the Cabbage Patch at the top of the list – or not even as Twickenham’s highest ranked – but the establishment, to be found almost opposite the station on London Road, is almost a victim of its own success.
Its commitment to the rugby cause – as well as charity endeavours – is unwavering, and it is a corking boozer all year round, but it has become so popular on match day that it is almost better when there are no games on. That being said, if you can get in, you will enjoy it.
The Cabbage Patch, just a stone’s throw away from Allianz Stadium, only comes in at four so which three pubs are ahead in our pub rankings?
02:32 PM GMT
Pre-match thoughts of Jamie George
02:28 PM GMT
You might think Borthwick is a boring selector – this is the proof he is not
Dropping Marcus Smith to the bench to pick a 32-year-old at full-back hardly screams progression, especially when you consider that Elliot Daly last wore the England 15 shirt in the autumn of 2021. But there is plenty of evidence to suggest that Steve Borthwick is future-proofing his team.
Two years into his tenure, he has stopped gesturing towards his rear-view mirror to emphasise what he inherited from Eddie Jones. At least publicly, sentiment seems to have softened from 2023, when Borthwick made the pointed assertion that England “weren’t good at anything” when he took over.
Every now and then, as if he knows people do not want to hear it, Borthwick will reiterate that his team is a “new” one. With that in mind, the sight of Daly will jar. However, in the absence of George Furbank, it is probably the best way to rebalance the back line and allow England to play with width without presenting Italy with an opportunity to boss the kicking exchanges.
Our senior rugby writer Charlie Morgan has his say on Steve Borthwick’s selection calls.
02:23 PM GMT
Six Nations permutations: How England could win title
France’s resounding victory in Dublin has created a situation where any one of four teams could be crowned champions next weekend. For more details click here.
02:19 PM GMT
Milestone day for George
02:16 PM GMT
If England mismanage Fin vs Marcus Smith, the latter could end up in France or Japan
From Mr Smith, to Mr and Mr Smith, and now back to Mr Smith. Yes, England find themselves at something of a crossroads that could have implications beyond the next World Cup.
It was at the end of the Six Nations Championship last year that Steve Borthwick made the decision to try to solve the enigma of Marcus Smith, something that had eluded his predecessor, Eddie Jones.
Initially the plan had been scheduled for the opening round of the championship, against Italy in Rome, only for Smith to sustain a calf injury in training in Girona. Instead, it was George Ford who started all five matches, with Smith returning off the bench to land the winning drop goal against Ireland and then another impressive cameo in the narrow defeat by France in Lyon.
The summer tour of Japan and New Zealand however offered the chance for Borthwick to invest in Smith, to shape England’s attack around him and give the Harlequins fly-half the opportunity to grab hold of the team in the manner many hoped he would do when he first burst onto the international stage in 2021, when he found himself fast-tracked onto the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa. England, for a multiple of reasons, had never got the best out of Danny Cipriani. The same mistake would not be made with Smith.
Our chief rugby union correspondent Gavin Mairs has his say on the Smiths.
02:12 PM GMT
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02:08 PM GMT
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02:04 PM GMT
Hosts arrive at HQ
02:00 PM GMT
“George lost his mother, then the England captaincy. This is his incredible journey”
February 3, 2024, Rome
Jamie George is standing in the tunnel of the Stadio Olimpico, preparing to lead England out for the first time as national team captain. As the camera zooms in on his face, his expression is stern and serious. George is one of the most ebullient and bubbly characters in English rugby. Those who do not know him would suppose the newfound responsibility of captaincy was weighing on his shoulders. Instead George is thinking about Jane, his mother, who is too ill to travel to Rome to see her son lead England for the first time.
High up in the stands, Ian George, Jamie’s father, is feeling her absence even more acutely. Together, Ian and Jane had travelled up and down the M1 thousands of times and all over the world following Jamie’s career. They had missed some matches along the way. For the Lions tour to New Zealand in 2017, they booked early flights home assuming Jamie would not be involved in the Test series and were back in Northamptonshire for the decider.
For more from our deputy rugby union correspondent Daniel Schofield, who has been taking a trip down memory lane in the life and career of Jamie George, click here.
01:55 PM GMT
Italy’s results so far
Saturday 1st February: Scotland 31-19 Italy
Saturday 8th February: Italy 22-15 Wales
Sunday 23rd February: Italy 24-73 France
01:49 PM GMT
England’s results so far
Saturday 1st February: Ireland 27-22 England
Saturday 8th February: England 26-25 France
Saturday 22nd February: England 16-15 Scotland
01:45 PM GMT
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01:40 PM GMT
Perfect conditions?
I don’t want to come across all Michael Fish here, but today will surely be the sunniest, mildest Six Nations match that Twickenham has ever hosted. Normally, hats and gloves are the order of the day but, for those situated in the east stand, sun cream will be vital.
01:36 PM GMT
“Not as bad as everyone is saying”
England captain Maro Itoje has insisted that his side’s attack is not “as bad as everyone is saying it is” after being outscored by three tries to one at Scotland.
Itoje pointed to England’s three tries against Ireland and four in the win over France as signs that England’s attack is not “starting from a bad place”. He added: “Obviously we only scored one last week. But I don’t think that’s reflective of an attack that can’t even start the engine.”
England have made two changes to their backline to face Italy, with Fraser Dingwall starting at inside centre - taking the number of Northampton Saints backs to five - and Elliot Daly replacing Marcus Smith at full-back.
Asked what the goal is for England’s attack and how it should look when full firing, Itoje replied: “Well, we want options. We want options at the line. We want to go to where the space is. We want 15 players to be fully engaged in that. And we want to be courageous and brave with that. That requires everyone getting up on our feet, presenting options and making sure that we’re contributing in a positive way.”
England’s point difference, which is currently at minus three, could be significant going into the final round of the tournament. Itoje stressed that England want to “win well”, while warning that Italy would be a difficult opponent despite shipping 73 points to France last time out.
“It’s not going to be an easy game. It’s not going to be a straightforward game. Italy are a difficult team. They have a lot of talent in their team and I think they are improving despite their results.”
Today will be Jamie George’s 100th Test for England, with the hooker leading out the side at Allianz Stadium. George has been a constant throughout Itoje’s career since he joined Saracens at the age of 18, revealing that George’s number in his phone is saved as ‘Jamie Under His Wing’ from when they were teenagers after George helped to give Itoje advice.
“I think everyone would feel comfortable talking with Jamie, everyone would feel comfortable having a coffee or a beer or a glass of wine with Jamie. He’s a great, great person and he just wants the best for the team. I’m delighted that he’s going to get here and I’m sure he’s going to get a lot more as well,” said Itoje.
“He put me under his wing, he helped me, gave me words of advice. He also set the standard. Despite his appearance he is an incredibly athletic player, fit, strong. He set a standard to live up to in many ways. Him being a hooker, me starting as a second-row and then a lineout-calling second-row, that is a relationship that we have been building for a number of years now.”
01:32 PM GMT
This weekend’s fixtures
Yesterday:
Ireland 27-42 France
Scotland 35-29 Wales
Today:
England vs Italy
01:30 PM GMT
Have your say
01:25 PM GMT
Team news
England make three changes from the narrow win against Scotland, with Marcus Smith dropped form the starting XV. He is replaced at full-back by Elliot Daly, who makes a first Test start at 15 in four years. Jamie George will become the seventh England men’s player to reach 100 caps. He starts at hooker after two appearances off the bench, replacing Luke Cowan-Dickie in the starting XV.
Centre Fraser Dingwall makes just a third Test start, and first in more than a year, in place of Henry Slade. On the bench, scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet is preferred to Harry Randall.
England starting 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 make six changes following the heavy defeat by France. London-born winger Matt Gallagher makes his Six Nations debut in place of Simone Gesi. Monty Ioane returns after missing out against Les Bleus because of injury, meaning Ange Capuozzo moves to full-back and Tommasso Allan drops to the bench.
Stephen Varney is preferred at scrum-half to Martin Page-Relo, while there are three further changes in the pack with Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni and Ross Vintcent all coming in.
Italy starting 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.
01:21 PM GMT
Can England keep their Six Nations hopes alive?
Round four of the 2025 Six Nations comes to a conclusion at Allianz Stadium as England host Italy. England have not lifted the Six Nations trophy since 2020 but are still in the hunt for the title courtesy of France’s victory over defending champions Ireland in Dublin yesterday, which ended Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes. Steve Borthwick’s men begin the day in fourth but could rise into second place with a bonus-point victory and could go into the final round just one point off current leaders France.
England’s campaign began with a 27-22 loss in Ireland before securing consecutive nail-biting one-point wins over France and Scotland, both at home, meaning England have now won four straight games at home in the Six Nations. England head coach Steve Borthwick has made the decision to drop Marcus Smith for today’s game but is still confident that the Harlequins man can have a big impact off the bench.
“We have got a lot of talented players, a lot of talented backs with attacking ability. I think Marcus [Smith] has done some really outstanding things. He has the ability to find space that other players cannot. The exciting thing I am looking forward to is unleashing him when there is a bit of fatigue on the pitch, there is a bit of space, and he comes on with his freshness.”
It will be a special day for former captain Jamie George, who will win his 100th cap in an England shirt today.
“Reaching 100 caps is a wonderful achievement that reflects Jamie’s talent, dedication and hard work. He has consistently given his all while wearing an England shirt and the team could not be prouder of his incredible milestone,” said Borthwick.
Italy began their Six Nations campaign with a 31-19 loss in Scotland but then beat Wales 22-15 at home in round two. Italy were then thumped 24-73 by France in round three, which was the second-highest points total they have ever conceded in the Six Nations. The most they have ever conceded in the competition was back in 2001 when they lost to England 80-23 at Twickenham. Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada is unsure as to how his side will react to the humbling defeat to France.
“We will have to assess whether it (France defeat) was an accident for a team that has been together for just over a year, and whether we will be able to resume a linear path and show who we really are.”
England have won all 31 Tests against Italy, scoring 1,224 points and conceding just 380. They are the only Six Nations side yet to lose to Italy, winning all 25 meetings in this championship. The meeting between these sides in Rome during last year’s Six Nations saw England run out 27-24 winners.
Kick-off at Allianz Stadium is at 3pm.
