Six Nations 2023 latest score and updates as Jack Willis provides perfect start
England take on Italy in the Six Nations 2023 with Steve Borthwick aiming to pick up his first win in charge of the Red Rose.
Last week’s defeat to Scotland underlines the scale of the job just months out from the World Cup.
While Italy pushed France in their opening week defeat in Rome, making today’s contest a scrap between sides who will likely battle it out to finish behind Ireland, France and Scotland.
After the Irish beat Les Bleus in Dublin, Scotland overcame a poor Wales side to draw level with the No 1 side in the world at the top of the table on 10 points.
Follow all the latest from Twickenham in the final match from the second round of matches in the 2023 Six Nations:
Six Nations 2023 – England vs Italy
England 7-0 Italy, 24 minutes
15:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Michele Lamaro has soldiered on but is finally traipsing off – HIA is the call from the officials, with Manuel Zuliani on at least temporarily.
That’s Jack Willis at his best – other refs might have deemed his release unclear, but there is no doubting the strength of the openside’s jackal as he tackles, stays on his feet and draws a holding on penalty with hamstrings fully flexed. England back into the Italian 22 with possession for the first time since their opening score.
England 7-0 Italy, 23 minutes
15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eesh! England are using Ollie Lawrence early and often from a variety of alignments, lurking beyond two would-be carriers here to ask a different question of the Italian defence. He and Lorenzo Cannone meet in a muscular manner, the Italian’s challenge just about legal.
England eventually kick possession away and then make a tackle in the air.
England 7-0 Italy, 21 minutes
15:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Marco Riccioni is still battling to get his body height right – James Doleman pings the tighthead for a second time. Too long in the set up, and England can clear to touch from the penalty.
England 7-0 Italy, 20 minutes
15:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Excellent defence from England. Italy are unhappy that James Doleman never calls a maul, but Danilo Fischetti never got a knee to floor as Jack Willis and Alex Dombrandt’s constricting limbs combine to hold the loosehead up. Down Fischetti eventually comes, and England will have the feed with the ball unplayable.
England 7-0 Italy, 19 minutes
15:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Stout initial maul defence from England, stalling Italy and forcing the visitors’ forwards down in a clump. But Italy reload and their burly-men start to make dents.
England 7-0 Italy, 18 minutes
15:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tommaso Allan finds touch on the England 22.
Giacomo Nicotera throws to the tail, where Sebastian Negri claims nicely. He’s contacted in the air by English arms, too – penalty advantage for Italy to work with.
Stephen Varney loops out of the back of the forwards and Ange Capuozzo bursts through a gap! An effortless injection of pace from the full back, just about snared by the shoelaces.
Italy knock on, but have the penalty to return to – and like England, they fancy a go with the driving lineout rather than taking three points.
England 7-0 Italy, 17 minutes
15:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy are leader-less for the moment – Michele Lamaro has gone down again, with a wobbly left leg a real concern. The physios will strap him up, and Lamaro will try to continue, but his movement during the last passage was not at all smooth. Italy do have two back rowers among their six forwards on the bench, but can’t really afford to lose their captain.
England 7-0 Italy, 16 minutes
15:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy struggle to get anything going, short of a man as their captain limps uncomfortably back towards them. Eventually, Tommaso Allan is forced to kick, with Freddie Steward taking, clearing and chasing.
Ange Capuozzo wriggles away from his opposite number, and a good carry on the righ earns Italy an advantage for Jack van Poortvliet’s failure to vacate a ruck. A knock on means the visitors will be forced to come back for it.
England 7-0 Italy, 15 minutes
15:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Exiting from restarts has been a persistent problem throughout this Six Nations weekend – England do an okay job here, though Henry Slade might have liked more distance on his left-footed punt for touch.
A worry for Italy. Michele Lamaro carries hard but stays down for an extended period as his side work through more phases near halfway. Two physios are quickly to the Italian captain.
TRY! ENGLAND 7-0 Italy (Jack Willis try, 13 minutes)
15:13 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A meaty maul and Jack Willis profits!
A horror injury in this fixture two years ago, and this means plenty to the openside, a great emotional release as he celebrates, roaring and punching the air.
His job was simple, riding England’s impressive chariot to the line and flopping down as he spotted the white line. England are up and rumbling, with Owen Farrell’s conversion from left of centre making it a seven-pointer.
England 0-0 Italy, 12 minutes
15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy contest hard at the breakdown, but illegally so – Luca Morisi’s hands were on the floor first as he tried to jackal.
England…opt for the corner!
England 0-0 Italy, 11 minutes
15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy get a nudge on this time, but England extract it just in time. Jack van Poortvliet hopes to find the blindside vacant but finds Italian shirts in front of him, prompting another stab in behind.
Italy again cover it well. Goalline drop out.
England 0-0 Italy, 10 minutes
15:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Down it goes as restlessness builds in the Twickenham crowd. A little too much time has been spent so far sorting these sorry set-pieces, which has denied both sides a chance to really get into the game.
England 0-0 Italy, 9 minutes
15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
James Doleman really isn’t happy with the way Italy are setting up for the scrum – Giacomo Nicotera has withdrawn his brake foot and, having been warned earlier, is free kicked.
England fancy another go, taking the scrum option.
England 0-0 Italy, 8 minutes
15:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Solid enough from Italy, allowing Stephen Varney to hook a clearance away. A decent chance for England to attack from here, though, a lineout 35 metres out.
No maul yet – England feign a drive and then pass into midfield, but a knock on ends any thought of building further.
England 0-0 Italy, 7 minutes
15:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Another unsteady set-piece. Ellis Genge offers some advice to both the referee and Marco Riccioni on the Italian tighthead before they all squat down again for another push.
England 0-0 Italy, 6 minutes
15:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Promising for England! Another forthright carry from Lawrence, this time arriving in a timely manager on the shoulder of his centre partner Henry Slade.
Then out the back, Owen Farrell looping and prodding a grubber through with Max Malins and Ollie Hassell-Collins in hot pursuit. Edoardo Padovani just about hurries back to quell the danger – Italy’s five metre scrum feed.
England 0-0 Italy, 4 minutes
15:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
James Doleman isn’t happy with the initial formation of both front rows, peeping them up for further instruction before directing them to pack down again.
Down it goes with England slightly in the ascendancy – Doleman blows more forecefully on his whistle and awards the penalty England’s way. Marco Riccioni deemed the cause of the collapse.
England 0-0 Italy, 3 minutes
15:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Bosh! Ollie Lawrence into the game straight away, on the hard charge up the middle to set a platform. But England get over-eager thereafter, Ollie Chessum peeling an arm back to try and reel in an errant pass, and not quite managing to lock a great right paw around it. Knock on, Italy’s scrum virtually dead centre.
England 0-0 Italy, 2 minutes
15:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A front of the lienout move from Italy, Michele Lamaro supporting Stephen Varney, who does well to remain in the field of play. England attack the next ruck hard, trying to drive Italy off it, but a strong carry from Sebastian Negri regathers momentum.
Or not! Danilo Fischetti diving off his feet to seal off – penalty to England after a strong first defensive effort.
England 0-0 Italy, 1 minute
15:01 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It is Chessum who goes up and comes down, taking the ball nicely despite a slightly rocky lift.
Jack van Poortvliet clears to beyond halfway, but England are soon penalised, Chessum failing to roll away from a midfield ruck and causing Stephen Varney to take a hop. Tommaso Allan kicks down into the England 22.
KICK OFF!
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy get things underway.
Here we go
15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy will get thing started, Tommaso Allan picking his spot amongst the assembled England catchers. Ollie Chessum takes a deep breath on the left, Maro Itoje the right, two towers ready to be hoisted high to receive.
Match Officials
14:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
James Doleman has saved on his air fares this week – an assistant here last week for England against Scotland and now with whistle-in-hand today.
The New Zealander leads an otherwise all-French officiating team.
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)ARs: Mathieu Raynal (FFR) & Tual Trainini (FFR)TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
Anthems
14:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle
A pleasant playing of “Il Canto degli Italian”, sung ever enthusiastically by the Italian squad and a healthy contingent of travelling support. Michele Lamaro and Danilo Fischetti roar out the final notes, swaying forward together with great gusto.
After a tenor last week, a soprano on “God Save the King” duties, with the majority of the Twickenham crowd providing their support.
Italy vs England
14:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
The White Stripes welcome the two sides on to the lush Twickenham surface, Owen Farrell still bearing the scars of battle with some heavy strapping around a head wound suffered against Scotland.
England vs Italy
14:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Tickets had been a little slow to move for this fixture, but the RFU were optimistic on Friday that there would be a late surge to allow them to declare a sell out. With 10 minutes or so until kick off, patches of green seats all around Twickenham suggest that they might not get there.
England vs Italy
14:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Slate grey skies aren’t promising, but there is no rain forecast this afternoon, and the breeze is steady rather than gusting – nothing to overly trouble either side under the high ball.
England vs Italy
14:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy’s approach is intriguing, too – I think their play-from-anywhere strategy last week was more France-specific than some think, denying Fabien Galthie’s side kick return opportunities or a chance to build from the lineout. England were very, very reluctant to maul against Scotland, despite some fun variation in their lineout routines. You’d suggest they might be more willing to drive this afternoon if Italy do kick more ball out when exiting their 22.
Final preparations
14:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle
However exciting England’s backs might be, I am expecting them to try and keep things tight – grinding out a win would not be a bad thing for a team in sore need of a confidence boost.
They’ll worry if Italy are still hanging around come the final ten minutes, though – the visitors are uber fit and could strike quickly late.
England’s revamped midfield
14:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Borthwick did not come out and say it outright, but the England head coach heavily intimated this week that his preferred midfield for this tournament would have looked something like Owen Farrell, Dan Kelly, Henry Slade.
Kelly’s injury is a significant blow for a player on the rise, and for an England team that could use his balanced skillset, but Slade’s return was welcomed by Borthwick, who sees him as a key player. Borthwick has been studying Slade’s best performances – the 2019 quarter final thumping of Australia, the Six Nations win in Dublin that kickstarted that year and the 2021 carving of South Africa all jumping to mind – in a bid to get the best out of a centre who has never quite translated clear quality into consistent top-level international performances.
Slade hasn’t been helped by England’s issues at centre during his seven and a half years as an international player. The 29-year-old has had eleven partners in his 52 Tests, but is happy to combine with Ollie Lawrence again, believing the blend offered by the pair should go well.
“I think it’s similar to how myself and Manu play together,” Slade explained, noting that he and Lawrence will interchange often. “He’s a very similar player in terms of being a powerful guy who’ll get you over the gain-line. I’m less powerful, but our strengths complement one another.
“We want to use him, and not use him, to manipulate the defence and give ourselves space and time to get the ball to the edges. He’s been good to play with and I’ve got a good relationship with him off the pitch, which always helps. He brings a lot of qualities with his power and his strength.”
‘So special’ Henry Arundell backed to star by Nick Evans
14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England will unleash explosive wing Henry Arundell off the bench at Twickenham on Sunday with instructions to shred Italy’s defence.
Arundell has earned an immediate recall for the Six Nations round two clash after missing the entire autumn because of an ankle injury, limiting him to just 30 minutes of rugby for his club London Irish since October
But the 20-year-old try-scoring sensation, who earlier this week was likened to Jason Robinson by Owen Farrell, has been tearing up training with England and is ready to add to the three caps won against Australia in July.
“Henry’s special, so special, and I’ve loved watching him train. Any time he gets the ball he looks like he will break a tackle. He reacts on instinct,” attack coach Nick Evans said.
“When he gets the opportunity to come in it’s all about getting him into space and creating as many one-on-ones for him as possible. The one v one is something he works really hard on, it’s a super strength of his.
“Henry is like all quality players, they’re probably uncoachable in terms of how they feel the game and the way they react to certain situations.”
‘So, so special’ Henry Arundell given boost by England coaching staff
Italian pack fit to match England
14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy have plenty of scavenging threat of their own: Michele Lamaro, both Cannone brothers and Danilo Fischetti are all very strong over the ball, and I was particularly impressed by Giacomo Nicotera against France last week, particularly in the second half. Fischetti and Marco Riccioni are two props that Italy can really build around – the pair came through the U20s together and are a nicely balanced duo.
After recovering from an ACL injury, Riccioni opted to skip Italy’s autumn business to remain with Saracens and build back his confidence and fitness at club level. Though England scrummaged well against Scotland, there are still some vulnerabilities apparent that Italy might be able to exploit, which could be key if they are to push England closer.
Jack Willis back on the hunt on the England openside
14:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It speaks to how bad Jack Willis’ injury against Italy two years ago was that Ellis Genge tried to swiftly move the conversation on when asked about it on Friday. Willis’ Six Nations debut was ended prematurely by a trapped leg, a crocodile roll and a career-threatening tearing of the knee ligaments, and it is lovely to see him back. England don’t hurt for openside options but this is probably Willis’ best chance yet of staking a real claim to a starting shirt.
Not that this year has been particularly easy either, with the demise of Wasps forcing a relocation to Toulouse. The flanker has been very impressive for the French side, though, and Steve Borthwick was clear on how Willis had impressed him in the last couple of months.
“He hunts,” Borthwick said of his chosen openside. “You watch his games, you watch him train – he hunts. It’s very easy for us to talk about that stealing the ball on the floor, but I also see him carrying the ball really effectively. Physically he moves well, his low ground mobility is excellent.
“He has been through a lot in his career, and he is still a young man. I see tremendous resilience and character.”
Team News – Italy
14:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
After a performance of yet more great strides against France, Kieran Crowley backs a similar side to go again against England. There are two changes to the starting fifteen, both somewhat anticipated: Marco Riccioni, despite injury issues, has impressed sparring with English props at Saracens over the last couple of seasons and pairs nicely with do-everything Danilo Fischetti; Edoardo Padovani’s experience and aerial ability should be valuable in an otherwise youthful back three.
There’s still no Paolo Garbisi, with Crowley loading up again with six forwards on the bench. Among them, special mention must be reserved for Jake Polledri – a unique player who it is great to see back on the international stage after an incredibly rough time of things over the last couple of years.
Italy XV: Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni; Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (capt.), Lorenzo Cannone; Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan; Tommaso Menoncello, Luca Morisi, Juan Ignacio Brex, Edoardo Padovani; Ange Capuozzo.
Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Simone Ferrari, Edoardo Iachizzi, Jake Polledri, Manuel Zuliani; Alessandro Fusco, Pierre Bruno.
Team News – England
14:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There’s a new look to new England this week, with Owen Farrell occupying the number ten shirt for his country for the first time in more than two years. The captain shifts in one from the centres, with Marcus Smith dropped to the bench after starting every England game last year.
Steve Borthwick is a great fan of Henry Slade, and the centre’s return is therefore welcome for the England coach, who pairs the Exeter man with Ollie Lawrence to Farrell’s outside. Up front, there is a single alteration – Ben Curry’s time as his brother’s stand-in was brief, with Jack Willis fully up to speed and the first French-based player to play for England in the Six Nations in 11 years.
England’s back replacements are primed to sizzle, with Alex Mitchell, the aforementioned Smith and a returning Henry Arundell ensuring there should be an injection of attacking verve if required. Jack Walker, unused last week, still awaits a debut.
England XV: Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Alex Dombrandt; Jack van Poortvliet, Owen Farrell (capt.); Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Max Malins; Freddie Steward.
Replacements: Jack Walker, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl; Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell.
England vs Italy
14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It’s a slightly damp day at Twickenham, drizzle on the windscreen on the way in, but the promise of spring in the rise of the mercury up into double figures.
An hour until kick off – let’s take a closer look through the two teams….
13:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley expects England to present a “more direct and unified” test under Steve Borthwick at Twickenham on Sunday.
Borthwick’s first game as England boss ended in Guinness Six Nations defeat last weekend as Scotland beat them 29-23 to lift the Calcutta Cup.
But Crowley believes Borthwick has now had the necessary time since succeeding Eddie Jones to get his methods and principles across to the players.
“I think they will be a lot more direct and unified,” said former New Zealand back Crowley after making two changes to the side that narrowly lost their championship opener to France in Rome.
“When a new coach comes in it takes a little bit of time. But they’ve had three weeks now, so I expect that defence will be a lot more solid.”
Italy expect ‘more direct and unified’ test from England – boss Kieran Crowley
Eddie Jones makes fresh England dig at Steve Borthwick
13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Eddie Jones admits that Steve Borthwick was “probably right” when stating he had inherited an England team that “weren’t good at anything”.
Borthwick, who took over from Jones as head coach in December, offered the damning assessment following last Saturday’s 29-23 Six Nations defeat by Scotland at Twickenham.
Jones was sacked after presiding over a dire 2022 and, having now taken charge of Australia, he accepts his attempts to enhance England’s attack created problems.
“Well he’s probably right and that’s part of the problem,” Jones said on his podcast EDDIE. “We were trying to morph a team that had had a very good set-piece and very good kicking game.
“The way that the game is played at the moment, that will win you games but it’s probably not good enough to be World Cup champions.
“And so expanding the attack sometimes takes away from your strengths and they’re going through that difficult period now where they’re trying to get that balance right in their game.
“But Steve will fix it. There’s no doubt he’ll fix it. And keep blaming me. That’s all right, I’ve got a pretty strong back and pretty strong shoulders to absorb that.”
Steve Borthwick explains England team selection
13:39 , Jamie Braidwood
Owen Farrell has been entrusted with the fly-half duties for England’s Six Nations clash with Italy after Steve Borthwick underlined the role played by Henry Slade’s return in unlocking his midfield selection.
Marcus Smith has been dropped to accommodate Farrell’s move from inside centre to the number 10 jersey, breaking up the playmaking axis that has been in place for the last eight Tests.
Completing the overhaul for the round-two match at Twickenham is Slade’s return at outside centre after missing the defeat by Scotland because of a groin injury and Ollie Lawrence’s return at 12.
With Farrell restored to his preferred position and Lawrence offering a powerful running option, the midfield has a balance that has been made possible by Slade.
“In terms of the dynamic, having Henry available this week is very important,” said Borthwick. “When I was an assistant coach with England, Henry played in some very important games for us and he brought some strengths in some really important games.
“Coming back, I can’t tell you how impressed I have been with him. He’s a seasoned campaigner, at both international level and club level and has an outstanding skillset.”
Ellis Genge tells England to ‘find our fire’ against Italy
13:29 , Jamie Braidwood
Ellis Genge has demanded England look inwards for inspiration rather than relying on the roar of Twickenham when they face an Italy side in the ascendancy.
Steve Borthwick’s reign opened with a 29-23 defeat by Scotland and while the Azzurri have traditionally been the weakest opponents in the Six Nations, they have been revitalised by last year’s victories over Wales and Australia.
Even though the Calcutta Cup ultimately remained in Scottish hands the buzz had returned to Twickenham. However, Sunday matches at the venue tend to produce more muted atmospheres.
Genge, England’s vice-captain, insists his team must “find our own fire” in their pursuit of their first win under Eddie Jones’ successor.
“I’d be worried if we don’t motivate ourselves to be honest,” the Bristol prop said.
“If we’re not trying to win and are relying on the fans to give us the energy to do so, we are probably not in the right spot.
“It’s brilliant to have a loud crowd and loads of noise but in the same breath it’s not something we’re necessarily relying on – we have got to find our own fire.”
Steve Borthwick outlines England’s problems after Scotland defeat
13:20 , Jack Rathborn
“We know we’ve got a lot of work to do. I’ve been frank from day one in saying there’s a lot of work to do,” said Borthwick ahead of the Italy match. “When I looked at the team in the autumn, when I measured the team and got all the data for the team, we weren’t good at anything. It was as frank as that.
“So we are trying to build some strengths in this team and some bits we are pleased about and some bits we are disappointed about. My job is to make sure we get some improvements for Italy.
“There are multiple areas we have tried to change. You saw some improvement in the scrum against Scotland which I was pleased about because it has been ranked as the worst scrum in tier one rugby.
“We saw some improvements in the attack and speed of ball and we tried to improve the breakdown where England were ranked the ninth quickest, so one of the slowest in tier one.
“I’d seen a habit within the team of conceding points early and not being able to respond to it. We conceded points against Scotland and the biggest thing I was looking at was the response. I thought the response was magnificent.
“We saw improvement against Scotland in a lot of areas. Some areas didn’t go so well and we need to make sure we get those addressed. Some take longer than others.
“We are trying to rebuild the set-piece here. That takes time. You saw some improvement in our attack.
“In terms of the way we hit in defence, there were improvements there but there were a couple of tries which Scotland took brilliantly, which is immense credit to them.
“I feel disappointed with the result. I asked the players to do some things differently. I have asked the players to play a new way.
“I have got to get the players to believe in themselves and get the players to bring their strengths to the pitch.
“I want them to play to the best of themselves, which we haven’t seen them do for a while. I think you saw an improvement in that regard against Scotland.”
England vs Italy: Confirmed line-ups
13:20 , Jamie Braidwood
England XV: 15. Freddie Steward; 14. Max Malins, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Ollie Lawrence, 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins; 10. Owen Farrell (capt), 9. Jack van Poortvliet; 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler; 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum; 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Jack Willis, 8. Alex Dombrandt
Replacements: 16. Jack Walker, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Henry Arundell
Italy XV: 15. Ange Capuozzo; 14. Edoardo Padovani, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Luca Morisi, 11. Tommaso Menoncello; 10. Tommaso Allan, 9. Stephen Varney; 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Giacomo Nicotera, 3. Marco Riccioni; 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Federico Ruzza; 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Michele Lamaro (capt), 8. Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: 16. Luca Bigi, 17. Federico Zani, 18. Simone Ferrari, 19. Edoardo Iachizzi, 20. Jake Polledri, 21. Manuel Zuliani, 22. Alessandro Fusco, 23. Pierre Bruno
When is England vs Italy?
13:19 , Jamie Braidwood
The match will kick off at 3pm GMT on Sunday 12 February.
What TV channel is it on and will there be a live stream?
It will be shown live on ITV 1, as well as online on the ITV X platform.
England vs Italy line-ups: Team news ahead of Six Nations fixture
13:00 , Jack Rathborn
England look to get their Six Nations campaign back on track with Italy their opponents at Twickenham.
Steve Borthwick’s first game as head coach ended in defeat for the hosts, with Scotland continuing their fine recent Calcutta Cup record.
The opening round loss makes this encounter all the more important for Borthwick and his side, and Italy showed in a valiant defeat to France just how dangerous they can be.
Favouring an open, attacking game to suit an expressive young team, Kieran Crowley’s side pushed the defending grand slammers close in Rome and will now seek a first-ever win over England.
England vs Italy team news and starting line-ups
Marcus Smith dropped by England as Steve Borthwick shuffles midfield pack
11:13 , Jack Rathborn
England have broken up their contentious playmaking axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell as part of a revamped midfield selected for Sunday’s Six Nations clash with Italy.
Having started the last eight Tests together, Smith has been demoted to the bench to accommodate Owen Farrell’s selection at fly-half instead of inside centre.
Former England boss Eddie Jones hoped the creative alliance would blossom in time for the World Cup and Steve Borthwick retained the duo for his first game in charge against Scotland last Saturday, but they have fired only sporadically as a partnership.
Borthwick completed a significant overhaul of the midfield by replacing Joe Marchant with Henry Slade at outside centre while Ollie Lawrence fills the vacancy at 12.
Marcus Smith dropped by England as Steve Borthwick shuffles midfield pack