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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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45 mins: England win a penalty on the other side of the field and, 40m out next to the touchline, Farrell goes for touch halfway into the 22.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:09

46 mins: Watson breaks through and might have scored, but we're checking for a forwards pass and the grounding...

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:10

46 mins: The pass looks suspiciously forwards, but the ball was lost in grounding regardless and it'll be a five-metre scrum to Italy. Big pressure on here.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:11

47 mins: Ridiculous decision from Giammarioli as he bats the ball back i the scrum with his hand right in front of referee Mathieu Raynal, handing Farrell a simple three points in front of the posts. 10-20.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:13

49 mins: Parisse gets a lovely offload off the deck to Bellini and the wing breaks through. He thinks about taking on Brown but takes contact instead...TRY FOR ITALY!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:14

49 mins: Wait a minute, we've got a late TMO check...

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:15

49 mins: NO TRY!

It was Tommaso Boni who went over, but the pass to him was clearly forwards and Raynal decides it's a scrum in England's favour instead. A big let-off for the visitors.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:16

52 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:18

52 mins: That was far too easy for England. Lawes took a lineout, they set up the maul, and Italy's complete failure to oppose it allowed Sam Simmonds to break through the middle and score his first international try. Farrell converts and England lead 10-27.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:21

56 mins: Allan tries a cross-field chip for Bellini, but Watson gets to it first and we'll come back for a penalty after Lawes used his hands in the ruck. Italy go for the corner.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:23

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