England vs Italy result: Watson try seals convincing farewell victory as Italians kept scorelees
Re-live all the action from St James’ Park where England ran in four tries in a dominant display as they prepare to leave for Japan
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Your support makes all the difference.England finished their preparations for the Rugby World Cup with a convincing 37-0 demolition of Italy to make it three wins from four warm-up games.
Ben Youngs, Joe Marchant, Ellis Genge and Anthony Watson all scored second-half tries to seal the victory in style, with Owen Farrell kicking 17 points including three first-half penalties in what was a uncharacteristically slow start from the hosts.
However, the second half saw England find their stride as they dominated Italy, who found themselves without a single chance of scoring after the break, though the victory was soured by injuries to Joe Launchbury, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Kyle Sinckler.
England fly to Japan on Sunday for a 10-day training camp in Miyazaki, before playing their first World Cup fixture against Tonga on 22 September. Re-live all the action below.
When is it?
England vs Italy takes place at St James’ Park on Friday 6 September.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 7:45pm.
Where can I watch it?
The Test will be shown live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action from 7pm. Highlights will be shown on BBC One at 11:05pm and at 11am on Saturday on BBC Two.
Teams
England: Anthony Watson; Ruaridh McConnochie, Joe Marchant, Piers Francis, Jonny May’ Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Jamie George, Dan Cole; Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes; Tom Curry, Mark Wilson, Billy Vunipola.
Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ellis Genge, Kyle Sinckler, Charlie Ewels, Matt Kvesic, Willi Heinz, George Ford, Joe Cokanasiga.
Italy: Jayden Hayward; Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Benvenuti, Edoardo Padovani; Carlo Canna, Callum Braley; Nicola Quaglio, Oliviero Fabiani, Simone Ferrari; David Sisi, Dean Budd; Sebastian Negri, Abraham Steyn, Jimmy Tuivaiti.
Replacements: Federico Zani, Andrea Lovotti, Marco Riccioni, Federico Ruzza, Alessandro Zanni, Maxime Mbanda, Guglielmo Palazzani, Tommaso Allan.
Odds
England to win: 1/41
Italy to win: 50/1
Draw: 100/1
Prediction
England by 18: Even though it is a warm-up match, England have shown genuine desire to get as much as possible out of these matches, and Friday night should be no different. For a number of players, this will be their final chance to push for a place in the best XV before the World Cup, and it is an opportunity not to be wasted.
41 mins: Italy have made a change in the back-row with Maxime Mbanda on for Jimmy Tuivati, and immediately England win another penalty at the breakdown as Genge gets over the ball. There's more boos as Farrell points to the posts again.
42 mins: This time Farrell is off target as he watches the ball drift left of the uprights, and England let points go begging.
44 mins: Farrell sends a chip through for May and Hayward to challenge on the deck, and as both slide for it it's the Italian who comes away with the ball for Italy to clear. Farrell then spots Marchant in space and floats a kick-pass out wide to the Harlequins centre, who takes it and tries to barge through Padovani. England recycle the ball...TRY FOR ENGLAND!
44 mins: Genge makes a good run after Marchant's catch, and as the Italian defence try to set themselves, Ben Youngs goes from the base alone and scores next to the ruck. Ben O'Keefe just wants to check there's no knock-on despite Farrell taking a quick drop-goal conversion, but TMO Brian MacNeice confirms it's all ok and the try stands. Farrell eventually converts. 16-0
48 mins: Italy get a penalty when Sinckler is caught offside chasing Ford's clearing kick, having seen the fly-half charged down seconds before. Italy then get a big cheer whent hey turn down the points and go for touch, and immediately they get a penalty advantage when Ewels enters the maul from the side. Again, Canna kicks to the corner.
50 mins: England will saty that's why you don't turn down the points, as they pinch the lineout and the chance goes begging for Italy. Youngs kicks clear, and Padovani can't take the catch as he knocks on to put England on the counter. They go through the hands but the passing is poor and means that when Watson gets the ball out side, the defence is over to knock him into touch. Fabiani can't keep the lineout straight to give England possession back, and the crowd are just drifting out of this one as the Mexican Wave rears its ugly head. We need a few more tries to keep this interesting really.
53 mins: That's a bit more like it! Vunipola psses from the base of the scrum to Youngs who accelrates quickly to the line. With the Italian defence buncing, he misses out Ford and Farrell with a neat pop to Joe Marchant, who has the pace to burn three defenders and score his first international try between the uprights. Farrell converts, and England are now looking comfortable. 23-0
57 mins: Youngs gets a rush of blood to the head as he taps and goes following an England penalty, only for his pass to Ford isolating the fly-half that results in him getting held up and Italy turning the ball over. That should have gone to the corner as England really didn't have the numbers to attack quickly.
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