Italy v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations as England hold on to beat Azzurri
Italy 24-27 England: Steve Borthwick’s England come from behind and then hold on to edge out a fiesty Azzurri side in Rome
England recovered from a scruffy start and a 17-8 deficit to beat Italy 27-24 in their opening Six Nations game in Rome, ending a run of four successive opening-round defeats in the championship.
Italy flew out of the blocks with a Tommaso Allan penalty and a well-created try for Alessandro Garbisi and though Elliot Daly hit back for England, their new-look side looked disorganised, not least when Allan flew through for the hosts’ second try.
Two George Ford penalties closed the gap to 17-14 at half-time, somewhat flattering for England, but they took control in the second period, starting when scrum half Alex Mitchell showed great determination to claim their second try.
Ford’s boot stretched the lead and more aggressive defence kept Italy at bay until Monty Ioane broke through for a converted try in added time to earn Italy a losing bonus point.
Relive all the action from Rome below.You can get all the latest Six Nations odds and tips here.
Wales 26-27 Scotland
77 mins: Wales steal the lineout! Possession in Scottish territory. Keeping it with the forwards but solid defence by Scotland. Pushing them back into their own half.
And Wales pinged for the ball going forward. scrum to Scotland. Big defensive set!
Wales 26-27 Scotland
76 mins: The lineout goes astray for Wales at the worst possible moment! It leads to a kicking battle and eventually Winnett finds touch int he Scottish half, where the visitors will have a lineout.
Can they see this out?
Wales 26-27 Scotland
74 mins: Tuipulotu with half a yard of space to make a few metres but then Wales win the penalty! It comes after Russell tries a little kick through, it bounces back to Horne and three Welshmen get over the ball to win the turnover!
Scotland have now conceded 14 penalties in a row. Welsh lineout outside the Scottish 22.
Wales 26-27 Scotland
73 mins: Both sides all but emptying their bench. Scotland wina scrum in midfield and will try to take the sting out of things, go through a few phases to restore control.
They probe down the right side and make decent ground through Rowe. Still outside the 22 though. Solid defence by Wales.
WATCH: Second-half tries
It has been a breathless second half as Wales roar back. Here are the tries:
Wales 26-27 Scotland
71 mins: Scotland have had no ball since things started to turn. Wales have been absolutely sublime - they were so bad for the first 45-odd minutes but have been free-flowing, exciting and brilliant since.
Tuipulotu comes back on after his sin-bin, so it’s 15 vs 15 again. But Scotland now have no margin for error.
TRY! Wales 26-27 Scotland (Alex Mann 68’)
AND WALES HAVE ANOTHER! It’s too easy from the lineout as the maul marauds forwards, splinters the Scottish pack and Alex Mann, on debut, dives over the line.
Incredible, incredible stuff. Tough conversion for Lloyd but he nails it! Wales are within a point, having been 27-0 down!
Wales 19-27 Scotland
67 mins: Wales charging down the left flank and Rio Dyer skips past defender after defender. He twists and turns into the 22 and then finds the pass to Cam Winnett. Cardiff roaring now!
Scotland pinged for being off their feet, so a Welsh penalty, just inside the 22 on the left touchline to come. They kick to the corner.
Wales 19-27 Scotland
64 mins: Reffell cuts inside a man and takes Wales into the 22. They’re flowing forward again as Hymns and Arias rings round the Principality Stadium.
Scotland turnover, and Huw Jones on the run but is brilliantly tap-tackled. Russell can hoof clear though to relive some pressue.
Ex-England international Alec Hepburn on in the front row for his Scotland debut.
Wales 19-27 Scotland
63 mins: Another barrelling run by Wainwright makes lots of ground. They’re feeling it now! Scotland have to regain control of this game.
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