England vs Italy LIVE! Six Nations 2023 match stream, latest score and rugby updates today
England vs Italy LIVE!
The Six Nations continues at Twickenham this afternoon as Steve Borthwick searches for his first win in the final match of an exciting second round. Eddie Jones’s successor as England manager made a disappointing debut on home soil last weekend as the Calcutta Cup was lost for a third consecutive year thanks to the exploits of Duhan van der Merwe in a thrilling 29-23 triumph for Scotland.
A much-improved side from Italy should pose a much bigger threat than usual today after running close against holders France in Rome, and the Azzurri are hoping to exploit weaknesses in Kevin Sinfield’s defense that were so ruthlessly exposed eight days ago and Attack improvements and a trio of tries became the focus despite clear leadership.
Borthwick resolved the divisive playmaker partnership between Owen Farrell and Marcus Smith here, with Farrell back on the left and Smith falling to the bench, with Jack Willis also coming into the pack. Meanwhile, the guests use Edoardo Padovani and Marco Riccioni in two substitutions from round one. Follow the England vs Italy match below live, with expert analysis from Nick Purewal at Twickenham.
England vs Italy latest news
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Kick-off time: 3pm GMT, Twickenham
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How to watch: ITV
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England’s lineup with Smith fell
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Italy’s line-up with two changes to the first XV
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Prediction: Borthwick takes first win
England vs Italy Prediction
12:48 p.m , George flood
Nothing but a win is enough for England today. Borthwick has claimed that the team “weren’t good at anything” under Jones in the autumn, but that won’t be an excuse should his side end up in a big upset here.
Defensively let England down against Scotland, although there were promising signs elsewhere on the pitch. The attack seemed to be gaining momentum and would continue to do so against Italy.
Italy threatened to pounce on an incredibly undisciplined performance by France, who awarded 18 penalties. England certainly won’t be as generous, while Italy’s terrible record at Twickenham and against England in general remains a mental hurdle.
A quick start will be important for Borthwick’s side to ensure nerves don’t build up in the stands and England have shown enough attacking against Scotland to suggest they can pull it off.
There may well be tricky moments, but the first win of the new era should come in a relatively comfortable way.
England wins by 17 points.
Italy’s line-up with two changes versus France
12:46 p.m , George flood
Meanwhile, Kieran Crowley makes two changes to the Italian side who started against France in Rome.
Saracens prop Marco Riccioni returns in the tighthead while Simone Ferrari was dropped on the bench.
Versatile defender Edoardo Padovani is also preferred to Pierre Bruno on the right flank.
Gloucester flanker Jake Polledri comes on the bench as he prepares to win his first Test game since 2020 after injury hell.
Italy XV: Capuozzo; Padovani, Brex, Morisi, Menoncello; Allan, Varney; Fischetti, Nicotera, Riccioni; N Cannone, Ruzza; Negri, Lamaro (c), L Cannone.
Substitute: Bigi, Zani, Ferrari, Iachizzi, Polledri, Zuliani, Fusco, Bruno.
England lineup broken up with Smith-Farrell axis
12:41 , George flood
The headlines of the team from an England perspective are that Owen Farrell switched from center back to left half and Marcus Smith fell to the bench, ending their polarizing playmaker partnership for good…at least for now.
Farrell will be supported by an intriguing new midfield pairing of Bath’s Ollie Lawrence and the fit again, Henry Slade, who has recovered from a hip problem.
The third move to the XV, which started against Scotland last weekend, is the openside flanker, where Toulouse’s Jack Willis has been in training for a week after club signings and Ben Curry, who is leaving the squad altogether, will be preferred.
Alex Mitchell is preferred to the highly experienced Ben Youngs to support first-half Jack van Poortvliet and London’s Irish speedster Henry Arundell takes Anthony Watson’s place on the bench after recovering from a foot injury.
England XV: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Hassell-Collins; Farrell (c), Van Poortvliet; Genge, George, Sinckler; Itoye, chess; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Substitute: Walker, M. Vunipola, Cole, Isiekwe, Earl, Mitchell, M. Smith, Arundell.
Here’s how you see England vs. Italy
12:36 , George flood
TV channel: England v Italy will be broadcast live and free to air on ITV1 in the UK, starting at 2.15pm this afternoon.
Live broadcast: Fans can also follow all the action live online via the ITVX app or the ITV website.
Welcome to LIVE coverage between England and Italy!
12:27 , George flood
Good day and welcome to the Evening Standard’s latest LIVE coverage of the Six Nations 2023!
We are in Twickenham today where a memorable second round of the competition concludes with a duel between England and Italy.
Steve Borthwick is keen to claim his first victory replacing Eddie Jones after an agonizing, Duhan van der Merwe-inspired defeat at the opening weekend’s Calcutta Cup, although a much-improved Azzurri team poses a far greater threat than in years past.
Giving reigning Grand Slam champions France everything they could take seven days ago, Kieran Crowley’s men were on the verge of a surprise in Rome.
They will be chasing further shocks with their comprehensive attacking game after beating both Wales and Australia in a memorable 2022 that showed their marked improvements.
Kick-off is today at 15:00 GMT. So stay tuned for the latest team news, matchmaking and live up-to-the-minute updates as well as expert analysis from Standard Sport’s Rugby Correspondent, Nick Purewal, throughout the afternoon at England Rugby HQ.
