Italy vs England LIVE: Six Nations rugby final score, result and reaction from Rome today
Follow latest updates from Rome as Eddie Jones’ side win their first game of the 2022 tournament
England showed the ruthless streak demanded by Eddie Jones as they atoned for their shattering collapse against Scotland by outclassing Italy 33-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Jones had urged his team to “light up Rome” and in response they delivered a five-try rout orchestrated by man of the match Marcus Smith to inflict a 34th successive Championship defeat on the Azzurri.
England had stormed 21-0 ahead by half-time and Smith was at the heart of many of their best moments, but he truly shone when firing a superb missed pass to provide Elliot Daly with a simple try in the 45th minute.
And unlike at Murrayfield a week earlier when he was replaced in the 63rd minute to widespread puzzlement, there was no sign of George Ford arriving off the bench until late on and this time Joe Marchant made way.
Ben Youngs eventually joined him at half-back to equal Jason Leonard’s record as England’s most capped player on 114 appearances, with the round-three visit of Wales to Twickenham the likely setting for him to surpass the milestone. Follow the latest reaction from Rome:
Italy 0-0 England, 3 minutes
Roars from Italy - that’s a real statement! First Pietro Ceccarelli and Danilo Fischetti get the better of their opposites at scrum time and then Jack Nowell, roaming off the blindside wing, is chopped down at the line, with Italian jackalers forcing an English fumble.
Italy 0-0 England, 2 minutes
Paolo Garbisi’s kick doesn’t quite fly as he would have liked but his hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi hits his jumper at the lineout, and Italy will again look to maul.
But that’s strong work from England. The drive begins five metres from the 22 and makes not even a metre, English bodies flooding through it on to the ball and winning a turnover. Scrum, England feed.
Italy 0-0 England, 1 minute
Alex Dombrandt claims the opening kick-off and shimmies through the first tackle. Henry Slade takes clearing duties, and performs them well.
Will Stuart is too early in driving through as Italy try to set up a maul at the lineout. Penalty to the home side on the halfway line.
KICK OFF!
Paolo Garbisi drops the ball on to his left foot and the action is underway in Rome.
Match Officials
It’s a full house of Australian referees in the Six Nations this weekend: Damon Murphy follows compatriots Nic Berry and Angus Gardner as he readies his whistle for kick-off. Brian MacNeice of Ireland is the TMo; Andrew Brace and Pierre Brousset the assistants.
Il Canto degli Italiani
As is tradition, the Italian players roar out “Il Canto degli Italiani” with gusto.
Anthems
It’s been a gorgeous day in the Italian capital but the lights are on as the evening in Roma just begins to draw in.
A healthy contingent of travelling England supporters join along with the opening strains of “God Save the Queen”.
Italy vs England
There look to be quite a few empty seats inside the Stadio Olimpico, which is a shame - it is due to the Italian government still restricting capacity owing the pandemic. Italy frustrated France in the first half last week, recapturing the defensive intensity that also stalled the All Blacks in November - they will be after another strong start.
Marcus Smith readies his legs with a weaving run across the pitch.
Will England ‘light up’ Rome?
England weren’t far away at Murrayfield last weekend, but if they are to have any hope of battling back to secure the Six Nations crown then a bonus point win against Italy is surely a must. Plain sailing or will Italy whip up a storm? Kick-off is ten minutes away.
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