LONDON — England eased to a 47-24 win over Italy at Allianz Staidum, Twickenham on Sunday to earn their third victory of this yr’s Six Nations.
Whereas at occasions a tame affair and never the all-out attacking rugby that England followers had hoped to get pleasure from, it was nonetheless an expert job from the hosts.
No. 8 Tom Willis crossed the road with England’s first entry into Italy’s 22 after three minutes, ending off a well-orchestrated assault by Fin Smith.
As England attacked a couple of minutes later, centre Ollie Lawrence dropped to the bottom and appeared in a world of ache after getting his foot caught within the turf. The Bathtub centre was helped off the sector, with Marcus Smith changing him.
Italy hit again with their first significant assault after Monty Ioane produced an excellent kick excessive from the right-hand aspect for Ange Capuozzo to pounce on.
The guests ought to have edged forward after 23 minutes with a penalty kick simply to the proper of the posts, however fly-half Paulo Garbisi sliced it large, letting England of the hook.
They needed to be affected person in a clunky first half, however England finally hit again via Tommy Freeman, whose fantastic kind continued after he chased down a pinpoint kick from Elliot Daly to attain his fourth attempt in as many video games.
Moments later, England’s defence was left wanting. Capuozzo sliced them open down the center earlier than handing the ball off to No. 8 Ross Vincent who outran 4 England chasers. Out of the blue the guests have been degree once more.
Because the match progressively took on some life, England got here again once more, this time passing it throughout the backline from proper to left neatly via Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall and Marcus Smith, with winger Ollie Sleightholme ending the job within the nook.
Marcus Smith acquired the group on their toes to begin the second half, bursting via the road after a rampant run from Will Stuart acquired England on the entrance foot. Smith picked up the ball because of an offload from Tom Curry earlier than evading two Italian defenders and cruised in for a straightforward attempt.
The hosts backed it up simply two minutes later as Tom Curry crashed over himself after choosing up ball up off the again of a ruck. Out of the blue, England appeared out of sight.
Whereas the win was by now within the financial institution, it turned a bruising day for England on the damage entrance. Following Lawrence’s withdrawal within the first half, Ben Earl limped off within the second with an obvious knee downside. Tom Curry additionally walked off gingerly on the 55-minute mark.
Sleightholme acquired his second of the afternoon after a string of good play which began because of a powerful run from captain Maro Itoje. Ben Curry, Alex Mitchell and Jamie George all had a contact of the ball earlier than Sleightholme darted into the nook to attain.
The match then gently simmered from then as England cantered dwelling. George obtained a heat reception as he was substituted in his a hundredth Take a look at match as Twickenham thanked one among its most loyal servants.
Tommaso Menoncello earned a late comfort attempt for Italy with 10 minutes to play, by which era some followers have been already heading for the exits. Ben Earl gave followers one very last thing to cheer about with a attempt within the closing play of the match, however Fin Smith’s missed conversion narrowly denied England a half century.
England journey to Cardiff subsequent week to wrap up their championship towards Wales, whereas Italy host Eire in Rome.
1:11
Italy practically get the leap on England
Relive three basic Six Nations video games between England and Italy forward of their conflict at Allianz Stadium this weekend.
– Lions watch: Is Sam Prendergast pushing Finn Russell at No. 10?
– Who may change Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ basic video games
– Six Nations and Ladies’s Six Nations: Full fixture record
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures
