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As it happenedended

Italy vs England - as it happened: Eddie Jones' men see out seven-try victory in Rome

Re-live all the action from Sunday's Six Nations encounter

Jack de Menezes
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday 04 February 2018 10:34 EST
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The Six Nations: in numbers

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England begin their Six Nations championship defence against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, with Eddie Jones' side looking to become the first nation to win the title outright three times consecutively in its 135-year history.

Jones rolls the dice by naming Ben Te'o at outside centre ahead of Jonathan Joseph, despite the Worcester Warriors midfielder not playing since October and having just seven appearances to his name this season, Te'o is brought in to try and give England some power out wide, with Joseph among the replacements should the game open up late on.

Italy meanwhile will be led by talismanic No 8 Sergio Parisse, who wins his 130th cap today, while fellow veteran Alessandro Zanni starts at lock to win his 100th cap 23 months after his last international appearance. The gauntlet has already been laid down by Wales, who thrashed Scotland 34-7 in the Six Nations' opening game yesterday, while Ireland needed a late Johnny Sexton drop-goal from 42m out to beat France 15-13.

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37 mins: Italy go again! They break from just outside the 22 and Boni pins his ears and goes for the line. He's tackled short but gets rid of the ball before going into touch, and the home side win a penalty for offside.

Parisse takes a quick tap and Italy go for it again...

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:45

38 mins: Another penalty against England for offside and now Parisse has a big decision with just two minutes until half-time. He elects to take the kick and it's crucial that Allan gets this before the break.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:46

39 mins: Allan's effort is straight through the middle and the lead is down to seven with one minute left on the clock. 10-17.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:47

40 mins: Italy are awarded a free-kick from the scrum and Parisse kicks it out to end the half.

Italy 7-17 England.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:49

H/T: A very up-and-down half from England. They started like a house on fire with Watson going over from a clever - though simple - set-piece move and it looked an ominous sign for the match. The loss of Ben Youngs caused a lengthy stoppage, although it didn't really affect the visitors as they scored from the very next play, again Watson going over after a Ford loop move.

But Italy hit back and their try was probably the best of the game so far, with Allan's flat pass allowing Benvenuti to canter over. The lead was stretched back to 10 points though when Ford and Farrell linked well to send the latter over, and at least Allan's late penalty means we've got a real game of it here.

England need just one more try for the bonus point too, so we'll keep an eye out for that.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 15:56

H/T: Italy are back out first while the England replacements warm-up on the pitch, but no sign of the away team yet...

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:03

H/T: Here come England after getting the hurry up, and we're ready to go again.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:03

41 mins: Italy kick off and the second half is underway!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:04

42 mins: England get an early chance as Itoje is lifted in the maul, but from the lineout Robshaw can't hold onto the ball in the tackle and it's knocked forwards for a scrum.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:06

44 mins: England put Italy under pressure with a Care chip over, but of all people the hooker, Leonardo Ghiraldini, gets back and dives for the ball, flinging it to Minozzi before going intoo touch. Great play from the No 2, and Minozzi rewards him by clearing up field. Delightful stuff from the big man.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:08

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