England vs Italy LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 result and reaction to first win of Steve Borthwick era
Steve Borthwick’s side outclassed the Azzurri to earn their first win of the new era at Twickenham
England delivered a performance of ruthless efficiency and forward power to overwhelm Italy 31-14 on Sunday for a five-try bonus-point victory that got their Six Nations campaign back on track after last week’s defeat by Scotland.
The hosts might not have matched the sparkling rugby seen in Saturday’s two matches but Italy could not live with their pack strength, particularly a seemingly unstoppable rolling maul, following coach Steve Borthwick’s promise to get back to basics.
Having won only one of their last six games at Twickenham, the home fans were not about to start complaining about style, though Borthwick’s decision to mix up his midfield looked a good one as man of the match Ollie Lawrence brought much-needed pace and intensity to the inside centre channel.
First-half tries for Jack Willis, Ollie Chessum and Jamie George put England 19-0 up at halftime. A penalty try earned the bonus point and though Italy crossed twice in a more evenly-balanced second half, England finished strongly with a crowd-pleasing finish by exciting replacement winger Henry Arundell.
Their 30th win in 30 meetings with Italy continued England’s stranglehold on the fixture and maintained their position as the only team never to have lost to the Italians since they joined the competition in 2000.
England 31-14 Italy, 77 minutes
That is the game won, but England will be keen for a strong finish. For now, though it is Italy on the attack, Ange Capouozzo beefily met by new man Walker as he meanders on the hunt for a hole.
England 31-14 Italy, 73 minutes
After 153 minutes sat on the bench in the Six Nations, at last an England debut for Jack Walker - Jamie George has had an effective game but you wonder if it might have been wise to grant slightly more minutes on the pitch to the replacement hooker at a position where Steve Borthwick is short of proven options.
Marcus Smith is on for Henry Slade, too, as the attendance is announced as just north of 81,000 - Twickenham close to full, but not at capacity.
TRY! ENGLAND 31-14 Italy (Henry Arundell try, 71 minutes)
And Henry Arundell goes over in the corner!
The first of many at Twickenham for an outstanding talent? England’s effervescent back replacements combine, Mitchell carving left towards Italian forwards and picking his moment to release a pass with a sliver of space opened for Arundell on the outside.
That’s all the London Irish youngster needs, a gleeful leap ensuring his legs remain in the air as he dots down.
England 26-14 Italy, 69 minutes
England look to their maul again, chugging into the Italian 22 and onwards further. Down the white shirts eventually come ten metres out.
Alex Mitchell injects some tempo...
England 26-14 Italy, 68 minutes
And Dan Cole and Mako Vunipola go to work, both Italian props infringing under pressure and allowing England to prod up towards the Italian 22.
England 26-14 Italy, 67 minutes
Italy threaten both edges, first left through the hands and then right from a well-weighted kick pass from Tommaso Allan. Federico Ruzza is a somewhat unlikely gatherer of it, though the lock is a very talented bloke - his one-handed, loose clasp of the ball proves foolish, though, with a stiff English collision forcing the ball to pop free.
Twickenham boos as Henry Arundell is denied an opportunity to counter after collecting a resulting loose Italian offload, but James Doleman had already blown his whistle. England will isntead feed the scrum.
England 26-14 Italy, 66 minutes
England introduce Nick Isiekwe, Lewis Ludlam pushed across to number eight with Alex Dombrandt the man replaced.
England 26-14 Italy, 65 minutes
Are English nerves just starting to jangle ever so slightly? There is a fair amount of space out there for Italy to attack now, Ange Capuozzo doing devilish things with his dancing feet but unable to quite cut England open. Italy eventually kick possession away, to moans of frustration from supporters suddenly encouraged by their side.
TRY! England 26-14 ITALY (Alessandro Fusco try, 64 minutes)
On the field a matter of moments but already Alessandro Fusco is over!
Italy switch their scrum-halves before the scrum, and play again with adventure and accuracy. Tommaso Menoncello spots a hole outside Dan Cole, and through the wing-cum-centre goes, aided by a bump from a forward in front of him that is cleared quickly by the TMO.
Menoncello wriggles free of Henry Arundell’s tackle but not that of Maro Itoje, though it matters not as Fusco snipes sharply between two retreating England forwards for the score. Tommaso Allan converts - surely not?
England 26-7 Italy, 62 minutes
Fabulous rugby from Italy, delightful hands at the line. Pierre Bruno hurries on to the pass and offloads wonderfully over his shoulder to Ange Capuozzo, who in turn finds Stepehn Varney to the inside.
Varney can’t quite connect with Juan Ignacio Brex. And the scrum half is tied up in the ruck, with stalls Italy’s ball and stymies their flow, England able to reset and regather and reform a wall of white shirts. Italy eventually force a knock on from English hands and can build again.
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