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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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58 mins: Italy go for the corner...TMO check!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:24

58 mins: Itoje brought down the maul and Italy had a penalty advantage, so they spread it wide and again Allan floats a flat pass out to Mattia Bellini. He dives for the corner under the tackle from Brown and it looks like he's in touch...NO!

TRY FOR ITALY!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:26

59 mins: Changes for England as Joseph and Kruis are on for Te'o and Lawes, joining George and Williams who came on before the try.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:28

63 mins: A few more changes that break up the game, with Brown heading off as Jack Nowell comes on, meaning Watson moves to full-back. Edordo Gori is on for Cioli at scrum-half.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:33

66 mins: England win a penalty in the scrum and Farrell goes tot the corner. It's a catch and drove, and Italy start driving sideways to force them into touch that results in a penalty. Farrell goes to the corner again, but not after Parisse gets a team warning.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:36

67 mins: England make a mess of the lineout and drop the ball, and Italy are able to clear.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:38

68 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:38

68 mins: Farrell makes the break on the switch-back, running a nice line off George Ford's shoulder, and when he's one-on-one with Minozzi, he feeds Ford to go over. Farrell converts and the score is 15-34.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:41

72 mins: Frantic play as the game breaks down, with a nice offload from Simmonds to Itoje sees the lock go close. The ball is intercepted on the next play though and Boni breaks down field. He's tackled by Ford, and England get the turnover, and Care chips over for Nowell to chase. Minozzi gets there first and secures the ball, but it's knocked on and England get the scrum.

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:45

75 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

Jack de Menezes4 February 2018 16:46

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