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

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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.

Six Nations 2024: Italy v England

• England narrowly beat Italy 27-24 in Round 1 of the Six Nations in Rome
• FULL-TIME! Italy 24-27 England
• 80’ - TRY! Ioane barrels down the right touchline for a losing bonus point (ITA 24-27 ENG)
• 45’ - TRY! Mitchell spins over the line to put England on top (ITA 17-21 ENG)
• 26’ - TRY! Allan finishes lovely team move to extend lead (ITA 17-8 ENG)
• 20’ - TRY! Daly over in the corner after great work from Freeman (ITA 10-8 ENG)
• 12’ - TRY! Italy surge through the middle and Garbisi in under the sticks (ITA 10-0 ENG)
• Italy vs England referee: Paul Williams
• Wales host Scotland at 4.45pm GMT in Cardiff

[3 February 2024 18:33 · Luke Baker]

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!

[3 February 2024 18:31 · Luke Baker]

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?

[3 February 2024 18:30 · Luke Baker]

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.

[3 February 2024 18:28 · Luke Baker]

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.

[3 February 2024 18:27 · Luke Baker]

WATCH: Second-half tries

It has been a breathless second half as Wales roar back. Here are the tries:

[3 February 2024 18:25 · Luke Baker]

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.

[3 February 2024 18:22 · Luke Baker]

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!

[3 February 2024 18:20 · Luke Baker]

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.

[3 February 2024 18:17 · Luke Baker]

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.

[3 February 2024 18:15 · Luke Baker]

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.