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 v Scotland
No rest for the wicked! Our attention now turns to Wales v Scotland to round off the opening Six Nations weekend. Should be a cracker in Cardiff.
You can follow that here:
Wales v Scotland LIVE rugby: Six Nations latest updates from Cardiff
Ethan Roots reflects on England debut
Here’s what Ethan Roots had to say after an England debut that ended with him being named Player of the Match in Rome. He was superb today.
WATCH: Highlights from England’s narrow win in Rome
Here are the highlights from an enthralling encounter in Rome. Italy as close as they’ve ever been to England.
FULL-TIME! Italy 24-27 England
That was the final play and Italy get a well-deserved losing bonus point in Rome. But England hold on for a win to kick-start their Six Nations campaign.
TRY! Italy 24-27 England (Monty Ioane 80+5’)
A simply brilliant finish by Monty Ioane and Italy get the losing bonus point! There looks nothing on down the right as Roots tackles Ioane but he doesn’t hold on, Ioane releases the ball, gets up, collects it and then charges down the flank, handing off one defender and going over for the try!
The conversion is good and Italy end within three points! The closest they’ve ever run England and the most points they’ve scored against them as well
Italy 17-27 England
80+ 4 mins: Izekor hurdles a Rotos tackle - that was more NFL than rugby! It takes Italy to halfway. Menoncello makes good metres down the right wing - he’s had a good game.
A crossfield kick to Zambonin is just kept alive but Italy are still only around halfway.
Italy 17-27 England
80+2 mins: Scrum penalty against England again - this time Beno Obano! Italy will boot for touch and now they’ll try to go all the way down the field and snatch a losing bonus point.
YELLOW CARD! Italy 17-27 England
80+1 mins: Care snipes and England within five metres once more. Penalty advantage as well. Roots burrows for the line. Back for the penalty and referee Ben Williams has had enough of the penalties, so Michele Lamaro heads to the sin-bin. We’ll end at 14 vs 14.
England opt for the scrum, going for one last try.
Italy 17-27 England
80 mins: Last attack for England - good lineout by Dan and England are into the 22. Cunningham-South knocks on in contact but we come back for a penalty after a pair of Italian offsides.
England kick to the corner - the clock is almost in the red now
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