England vs Italy LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction to first win of Steve Borthwick era

Italy get things underway.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.”