England vs Italy LIVE: Score and updates from Six Nations as hosts lead high-scoring thriller

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09-03-2025

England will look to continue to build momentum as they seek a third successive win with Italy in town.
Narrow victories over France and Scotland have been overdue tight successes for Steve Borthwick's side, though they themselves have conceded that they are yet to produce their best in this campaign. With a reasonably friendly finish to the Six Nations, the hope for Borthwick will be that his side can open up their attacking game and eradicate a few glaring defensive flaws.
The England head coach leaves Marcus Smith on the bench and drops Henry Slade entirely for the visit of the Azzurri, who are looking to bounce back from a battering at the hands of France. The shipping of 11 tries in Rome punctured the optimism that had surrounded Gonzalo Quesada's squad but there is still a lot to like about an Italian team that will again seek a first ever victory over their hosts.England host Italy in the Six Nations | Live on ITV
Steve Borthwick's side must produce better attacking performance to keep title hopes alive
Azzurri were bruised and well beaten by France last time out but pushed England close in 2024
47' - TRY! Curry picks and goes for the try (ENG 35-17 ITA)
44' - TRY! Curry offloads superbly to Marcus Smith to accelerate over (ENG 28-17 ITA)
35' - TRY! Sleightholme finishes neat move out wide (ENG 21-14 ITA)
32' - TRY! Great pace from Vintcent to surge over the line (ENG 14-14 ITA)
28' - TRY! Capuozzo caught napping as Freeman collects Daly's kick for the score (ENG 14-7 ITA)
15' - TRY! Capuozzo collects Ioane chip to level the scores (ENG 7-7 ITA)
5' - TRY! Willis barrels over to give England early lead (ENG 7-0 ITA)
16:10 , Luke Baker
Ben Curry on for Willis as England start the replacement train. They've got momentum now and drive forward with a maul from a lineout on the 22.
They heave up to five metres away - a couple of phases brings the ball infield. Tom Curry and George taking contact.
Mitchell thren has a dart from the base before Tom Curry picks up, goes himself and powers over! Easy conversion for Fin Smith and it's a fifth England try.
16:07 , Luke Baker
A couple of one-up carries in midfield for England before they finally make a few metres and Stuart shows off his dancing feet, stepping a defender, to get them on the front foot.
And then it's try time! Curry takes contact with two Italian defenders, frees his hand for the offload and Marcus Smith is in support, he jinks past the final defender and accelerates to the line! Lovely try.
Fin Smith adds the extras and England are rocking and rolling now.
16:05 , Luke Baker
England give away an early penalty and Italy have a lineout on the 22. They fling the ball wide to the left where Gallagher looks like he may have a shot at the corner but tries to cut back and Marcus Smith makes a superb dump tackle.
And England then get the turnover as Earl jackals well and wins the penalty off Nicotera.
16:03 , Luke Baker
Back underway as Garbisi kicks deep to begin the second half. Can England pick their moments better in this second half while still showing the ambition that they demonstrated in the first 40.
15:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Wow. A real rollercoaster of a half, stomach thrown hither and thither as it twisted and turned. England have displayed the adventure they promised but been matched by the intrepid Italians, who have increasingly managed to trap the hosts playing from too deep to create opportunities for themselves. A half that would have quietened a few critics of England's style of play - though that may be playing into the visitors' hands.
15:54 , Luke Baker
Five tries in a thrilling first half - here's a few of the highlights from it
Instant Response 😤England find space out wide to retake the lead, again 😅#GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/FxNpv6PGOZ
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
🗣️ "It's a try that Italy will be talking about for a LONG time!"Ange Capuozzo and Ross Vintcent produce an absolute WORLDIE for Italy 🤯#GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/PyWcmNdzsR
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
🗣️ "What on earth was Capuozzo thinking?!"Tommy Freeman capitalises on the open space as England retake the lead ☄️ #GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/jjqWRKXoAp
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
Liquid rugby from the Italians 💧Almost all of the backs involved in that one, as Ange Capuozoo finishes off a STUNNER! 🚀#GuinnessM6N | #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/15fJBoPx1W
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
15:49 , Luke Baker
The Azzurri maul stalls, the ball is somewhere in the melee and it's not coming out. England turnover and that's half-time.
What a brilliant half of rugby! Thrilling stuff in the sunshine and England narrowly lead. Italy are right in this though.
15:47 , Luke Baker
England were actually pinged at that scrum - Will Stuart the man penalised and Italy have a lineout in the England 22 to end the half. Can they go into the break ahead?
15:46 , Luke Baker
Menoncello is a demon at the breakdown and he spoils the ball for Mitchell who knocks on trying to get it way.
Italy scrum in England's half which holds firm and gives them an attacking platform.
15:45 , Luke Baker
Easy for Paolo Garbisi and no mistake this time as he slots the three points.
15:44 , Luke Baker
England try to show their ambition by playing the ball from inside their own 22 but when Willis is tackled, Vintcent is able to get over the ball and win the penalty.
This will be a simple shot at goal.
15:42 , Luke Baker
What a game this is turning into! England hit straight back with a try themselves.
They win a penalty in Italian territory and choose to tap and go. That's in the right corne and they work the ball all the way to the other side of the field in four passes! Dingwall just gets his off to Marcus Smith before being clobbered and Smith heaves a huge throw out to Ollie Sleightholme who is all alone on the right flank.
Pace to the corner from the winger as he slides over. A tricky conversion for Fin Smith from the left touchline but he nails it! Superb kick
15:39 , Luke Baker
Ross Vintcent that is serious pace! Unbelievable from the Italy and Exeter No 8! A stunning Italy score!
Capuozzo returns a reasonably aimless kick as he weaves between defenders in his patented style and pops inside to the supporting Vintcent. He's got 30 metres to go and turns on the afterburners by slicing between two defenders, dummying Marcus Smith with a pass and outpacing Ellis Genge and Fin Smith to the line! Class!
Garbisi adds the conversion and we're level again!
15:35 , Luke Baker
It doesn't matter as England immediately score anyway! What on earth is Ange Capuozzo doing? He's caught sleeping as Daly threads a grubber kick through with the outside of his left boot.
Capuozzo doesn't start turning to run back until Tommy Freeman is past him, the England winger collects the ball, steps inside the covering Garbisi and dives over for the score. A gift for England!
Fin Smith, who is still goal-kicking even though namesake Marcus is now on the field, slots the tricky conversion from out wide and England lead 14-7.
15:33 , Luke Baker
Celebrations from Italy! A very clever lineout by England, using Itoje as a dummy jumper and firing to Earl at the front.
He's driven within a metre of the line but Itoje then picks up and dives over the top of the ruck. He's nowhere near grounding the ball - he basically dived on a pile of bodies. Not the smartest move by the England captain, held up over the line. Italy will have a goal-line dropout.
Although we're going to the TMO to see if Earl's drive was stopped illegally. They deem not - 'a clear sack' says the referee, although a couple of Italian defenders may have come in at the side. Nevertheless, they survive.
15:30 , Luke Baker
Good set from England, a couple of phases and Ruzza is pinged for a no-arms tackle on Marcus Smith.
Lineout five metres from the Italy line...
15:29 , Luke Baker
That's class by Fin Smith. A dangerous kick through from Capuozzo sees him hurtle across to collect, five metres from his own line, he sidesteps a tacklers and boots clear to halfway. Calm and composed from the England fly half.
15:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
That's a really poor miss from Paolo Garbisi, assuming kicking duties with no Tommaso Allan in the Italian side today. The visitors have started to really find their flow in attack after a difficult opening to the game, buoyed no doubt by that Ange Capuozzo score.
Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex are working some really funky shapes in midfield.
Ange Capuozzooo 🇮🇹Monty Ioane et son arrière combinent dans le couloir pour le premier essai italien 👊📺 @FranceTV#ENGvITA | #SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/3CrnapfZkk
— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) March 9, 2025
15:28 , Luke Baker
Let-off for England. The penalty is on the 22, to the right of the posts but a kick Paolo Garbisi would expect to make most, if not all, of the time.
But it slips wide of the left posts and it's still 7-7.
15:26 , Luke Baker
Mistakes creeping into England's game. Chessum is pinged for going in too soon. Italy have the lineout on the 22, they make a mess of it but England immediately knock on and give them the ball back.
Capuozzo tries to dance through a half-gap and gorgeous offloading takes them up to the 22 where they win a penalty for no clear release in the tackle. They'll go for the posts.
15:24 , Luke Baker
Italy will be delighted with this first quarter - they've weathered the England storm and come out level.
Ioane competes with Marcus Smith for an up and under and spoils it well, forcing the ball backwards and giving Italy possession just outside the 22. But England win the turnover penalty and Fin Smith hammers clear to halfway.
15:22 , Luke Baker
Mitchell dances left, then right before popping to Earl for the carry. England running out of space down the right but Freeman tries to get his hands free in the tackle to make the pass.
Gallagher, who is facing backwards, deliberately knocks it down and Italy clear their lines out of the 22. Another chance gone begging for the hosts
15:20 , Luke Baker
England respond well, win a penalty and kick to the corner. Great attacking opportunity. HEAVE is the cry from the crowd as they set up the maul.
Five metres from the line now.
15:19 , Luke Baker
Well, well, well! Italy strike with more or less their first attack!
The lineout is good and they go all the way to the right wing where Ioane flicks a stunning chipped kick over the defensive line, Ange Capuozzo is at full tilt and the ball bounces up perfectly for the full back to collect and dive over for the try. Gorgeous score.
Garbisi nails the conversion and we're level at the Allianz. England made to pay for not converting their dominance into more points.
15:17 , Luke Baker
Italy prop Marco Riccioni receives treatment but he's good to continue. Italian lineout is solid and Varney puts up a box-kick that pins Sleightholme on the touchline and he does well to stay in play and flick a behind the back pass!n Very Dupont-esque...
The attack breaks down when a kick-pass bounces into touch.
15:15 , Luke Baker
Mitchell sends up a high bomb to test Capuozzo and he's equal to it. Sleightholme is then equally effective under the return kick and sets up England in Italian territory.
Genge with a carry in the tight before Dingwall dinks a kick through that bounces into touch and ensures a defensive Italian lineout. All the play is in Italy's half, and largely their 22, so far. A good start by Borthwick's men.
15:13 , Luke Baker
The scrum is solid and England run three straight crash balls into the guts of the Italian defence. The Azzurri nab the turnover though when Fin Smith has the ball stripped in contact and they gleefully clear towards halfway
15:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium
A real blow, that, for England with Ollie Lawrence carted off. The hosts have begun with real fizz and purpose in attack, with the centre providing a focal point.
On comes Marcus Smith to a huge roar, having also got the strongest reaction when his name was read out ahead of kick off - Elliot Daly has gone to outside centre, leaving England without the same carrying punch. Might we see more of Tommy Freeman roaming off his wing after a couple of good early moments down the touchline?
15:12 , Luke Baker
An early blow for England though as Lawrence has gone down in a lot of pain. The cart comes on and he's taken off.
After all the controversy around Marcus Smith being dropped, he's on after nine minutes! He'll go to full back and Daly comes into the centres alongside Dingwall.
England with the five-metre scrum
15:10 , Luke Baker
This is the rugby England want to play! From the lineout they go all the way across the field, a gorgeous looped pass over the top from Daly on the wraparound finds Freeman and he powers to within a couple of metres of the Italian line.
The Azzurri defence holds firm and holds them up in the in-goal area.
15:07 , Luke Baker
That England try all came from Daly running a loose ball in his own 22, rather than kicking. Exactly the sort of brave, ambitious rugby Borthwick has been urging his side to play.
First scrum of the day in midfield. England put-in and it's solid. In fact, England get a push on and win the scrum penalty.
Advantage played and Lawrence with a powerful carry to the 22 but we're back for the penalty.
15:05 , Luke Baker
Good defensive set by England, they force the knock-on in contact from Varney and Daly then surges up to halfway.
A barrelling carry by Earl makes more yards, they go right and Freeman charges down the wing before popping inside.
Mitchell flings the ball to Tom Willis who splits two defenders and dives over for the try. Dare I say that was a bit too easy for England. Fin Smith adds the conversion. Ideal start for the hosts.
15:02 , Luke Baker
England's first pass of the day hits the deck as Freeman's radar is off but it bounces backwards, so no harm done.
England try to build from a lineout on halfway but give away the breakdown penalty and Italy move into English territory
15:01 , Luke Baker
And we're off in southwest London! Fin Smith kicks the ball into the Twickenham air. It's short and contestable but Italy dive on it.
14:59 , Luke Baker
Anthems done and we're ready for kick-off. Can England make it three wins on the spin at Twickenham?
14:59 , Luke Baker
Before the rest of the teams emerge, Jamie George walks out on to the Allianz Stadium turf on his own to receive the rapturous applause for his 100th cap.
I say on his own, he's the only player to come out but his young daughter Lydia is with him in his arms. A lovely moment for the George family and a well deserved accolade for one of rugby's genuine good guys.
The rest of the players follow and we're only a few minutes away from kick-off. It's the anthems first, though.
14:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ire)
Asisstant Referees: Craig Evans (Wal) & Luc Ramos (Fra)
Television Match Official: Marius Jonker (SA)
Foul Play Review Officer: Mike Adamson (Sco)
14:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
It is a simply glorious day at Twickenham, nary a cloud in the sky and the sun beating down to make it feel more like mid-July than early March. I must say it is rather welcome after a couple of chilly outings at the start of this tournament.
Can England utilise the dry, dreamy conditions to open up their attacking game?
14:40 , Luke Baker
This is well worth five minutes of your time before kick-off. Jamie George has received plenty of messages ahead of his 100th cap this afternoon.
Some incredibly moving messages for Jamie George ❤️@EnglandRugby 🎥pic.twitter.com/pRWitMjeOE
— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 9, 2025
14:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is a famous television interview that came to stand as a signature memory of Steve Borthwick's oft-maligned tenure as England captain. It was February 2010 at the Stadio Flaminio and England had endured a dreadful day, barely squeaking by a limited Italian side. Off the skipper came to face the BBC microphone, before uttering a short sentence that came to define his muddled, morose stint.
'I thought some of the stuff we did was outstanding,' was the misjudged reply to the questioning of Sonja McLaughlan, an opinion that the ever-forthright No 8 Nick Easter almost immediately disagreed with. 'My god, that was boring,' Easter remarked post-match – an assessment most felt rather more correct. Borthwick lasted just two more matches before a knee injury ended his Six Nations; that July, while the lock was on his honeymoon in Bali, a call from Martin Johnson ended his international career entirely.
The time for patience is over – England must finally deliver a complete performance
14:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Gonzalo Quesada was deeply disappointed with Italy's meek defensive surrender to France, a bright start fading dramatically as the visitors piled up the points a fortnight ago. It felt like the sort of performance that had been confined to the past under the Argentine coach, and he is expecting a reaction from his squad today.
"In the second half we struggled to defend as we wanted to,' Quesada admitted of the 73-24 loss.
"It was not just a technical or organisational problem, rather there was no respect for roles and principles. I had never seen the team lost, trying to solve things individually, without a collective organisation.
'Now we will have to assess whether it (France defeat) was an accident for a team that has been together for just over a year, and whether we will be able to resume a linear path and show who we really are.'
14:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It is a selection that has caused a stir, so why has Steve Borthwick left Marcus Smith on the bench?
How England hope to unlock their attacking game — by dropping Marcus Smith
14:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy are able to bring back a fit-again Monty Ioane into a remodelled back three that also includes Sidcup-born Matt Gallagher, with the former England U20 international in line for a Six Nations debut on the wing. Stephen Varney is also brought in at scrum half as Martin Page-Relo and Tommaso Allan drops out of the starting backline, while Giacomo Nicotera and Marco Riccioni join Danilo Fischetti in the front row. Exeter's Ross Vintcent swaps in at No 8 for Lorenzo Cannone.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Marco Riccioni; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Federico Ruzza; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Matt Gallagher, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Monty Ioane; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Lorenzo Cannone; 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.
🇮🇹 The @Federugby side to take on England this weekend 🙌#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/qeX8J8RS1K
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 7, 2025
14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Borthwick has made significant tweaks to the England backline, with Marcus Smith dropped to the bench and Henry Slade axed entirely. Elliot Daly is brought in at full-back, making his first start at the position in Test rugby for four years, while Fraser Dingwall partners Ollie Lawrence in the centres. On the occasion of his 100th cap, Jamie George is elevated to the starting side as Luke Cowan-Dickie fulfils the bench hooker role that the former captain has played well over the last two weeks.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge; 2 Jamie George, 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Ollie Chessum; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Ben Earl, 8 Tom Willis; 9 Alex Mitchell, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 Elliot Daly.
16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Here's how @EnglandRugby line-up to take on the Italians 🙌#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/dleXFt5LZL
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 5, 2025
13:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It was the very start of an England career that, on Sunday afternoon, will reach a special milestone which underscores the value of patience and resilience to Jamie George. The front rower will raise his bat against Italy as he wins cap No 100, in doing so becoming the first male English hooker to compile a century as the heart and soul of his side.
Honest Jamie George reflects on losing England captaincy: 'I had more to give'
13:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy have never beaten England in 31 previous meetings and their 73-24 rout by France in round three suggests a seismic upset will be beyond them on this occasion. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada is looking for a reaction after the high of beating Wales in round two was immediately diffused by a rampant Les Bleus and has made six changes to shake things up, including Ange Capuozzo moving from wing to full-back and Stephen Varney's return at scrum-half. The quality centre pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex remains, however, and will continue to present Italy's greatest threat.
13:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle
England have been propelled into title contention by dispatching France and Scotland, finally discovering the ability to close out tight games after a year of near-misses, but they will be demanding more from themselves over the final two rounds. They have failed to convince in any of this year's outings and must show against the tournament's two weakest opponents over the next two weekends that they have more in the locker than graft and a willingness to fight until the final whistle.
13:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There will be few more popular Test centurions than Jamie George – and few more durable either. George becomes the seventh England player to win 100 caps and, apart from the statistic that matters most today, an array of other numbers illustrate his standing in the game. George is the most successful line-out thrower in Six Nations history with a 91.8 percent success rate and, since making his debut in 2015, he has been in action more than any other top-tier hooker, with his 4,817 minutes eclipsing his closest rival, Argentina's Julian Montoya, by 539 minutes. He is fourth in the try-scoring list for hookers, has made more tackles than any of his rivals and has gained the fourth highest amount of metres. It is a mighty contribution and he deserves his moment in the spotlight.
12:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Fraser Dingwall's return has lifted the number of Northampton players in England's backline to five – a total that might have risen further had George Furbank been fit. The under-performing Henry Slade has been removed from the midfield in the hope that the familiarity between Dingwall and half-backs Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith, as well as wings Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme, will provide the creative spark that was missing against France and Scotland.
12:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle
'I'm looking forward to unleashing him when there's a bit of fatigue on the pitch' were the words head coach Steve Borthwick used to sugar coat Marcus Smith's removal from the starting XV, but there is no masking the Harlequins playmaker's fall from grace. From starting fly-half for eight successive Tests and linchpin of the team, then shunted to full-back and now on the bench, Smith's stock has fallen sharply. A place on the British and Irish Lions tour is in danger of slipping away and he must demonstrate against Italy why he would still be an asset against Australia this summer.
Sub role for Smith and George joins 100 club – England v Italy talking points
12:20 , Ciara Fearn
England captain Maro Itoje has pushed back against former skipper Will Carling's claims that Steve Borthwick's coaching team lacks the experience needed to take the national side to the next level.
Carling recently questioned whether England had assembled the 'best' coaching set-up, suggesting that a lack of top-tier experience might be limiting the teams potential.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4 on Tuesday, the former centre said: "You look at the calibre of the England coaching team and you have got to question whether that's the best we can put out there.
"Some of them are learning, some of them are very young and maybe lack the experience at Test level. Maybe that's what we're seeing impact on the players."
However, Itoje firmly disagreed with Carling's statement, praising the work ethic and impact of Borthwick and his staff.
Maro Itoje hits back at Will Carling over criticism of England coaches
12:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Back to today's proceedings. England, it seems, were rather unhappy with the tone of some of the reaction to their narrow Calcutta Cup win, with Ellis Genge voicing his displeasure at the criticism in strong terms during their fallow week camp in York...
Ellis Genge hits back at England's 'out of touch' critics
12:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
How does all of yesterday's action leave the Six Nations table and title race? Here are the permutations you need to know:
Six Nations title permutations: What France, Ireland and England need to win trophy
11:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Finn Russell admitted Scotland need to sharpen up after their late drop-off took the shine off a five-try 35-29 Guinness Six Nations win over struggling Wales at Murrayfield.
The Scots were well on top for an hour as they romped into a commanding 35-8 lead with doubles from Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn as well as a score from Darcy Graham.
But Wales, who had countered through Blair Murray in the first half, were able to salvage two losing bonus points as they scored three further tries in the final quarter through Ben Thomas, Teddy Williams and Max Llewellyn to deflate the hosts.
Finn Russell warns Scotland not to switch off after Wales threaten late comeback
11:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Things weren't much less hectic in Edinburgh, with Scotland for a second year in succession extending a huge advantage against Wales before threatening to let it slip. The hosts, just about, clung on:
Scotland survive furious fightback as long Welsh losing run goes on
11:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Victory came at a cost for France, though, with Antoine Dupont seemingly suffering a serious knee injury - and coach Fabien Galthie was not at all happy...
Fabien Galthie demands answers after Antoine Dupont suffers 'serious' injury
10:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle
And we begin in Dublin, where France produced a simply superb performance amid adversity to transform the Six Nations title picture
France dismantle Ireland as Six Nations title race takes dramatic twist
10:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Right, plenty more build-up to come as we work towards this afternoon kick off. But let's take a look back at yesterday's action - and there's plenty to dig into...
10:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle
It was the very start of an England career that will this afternoon reach a special milestone which underscores the value of patience and resilience to Jamie George. The front rower will raise his bat against Italy as he wins cap No 100, in doing so becoming the first male English hooker to compile a century as the heart and soul of his side.
Honest Jamie George reflects on losing England captaincy: 'I had more to give'
10:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Ben Youngs knows what it is like to be stuck in the stocks, pilloried by the public for the problems of a ponderous England side. On his way to a record tally of 127 caps, the former scrum-half had plenty of rotten vegetables thrown in his direction; now, a year and a bit on from concluding his international career, it's Youngs tossing the tomatoes.
The 35-year-old may still be charging around in a Leicester shirt but increasingly his input is being felt more keenly off the field; a shrewd scrum-half emerging as a considered, but often cutting, critic. Co-hosting the For the Love of Rugby podcast with close colleague Dan Cole offers the pair a platform to dig into the depth and detail of England's performances. And while Youngs is happy to see good chums winning again and is encouraged by the potential of the squad, he has a few concerns over the direction of Steve Borthwick's side.
Ben Youngs pinpoints where 'disjointed' England must improve against Italy
10:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
There is a famous television interview that came to stand as a signature memory of Steve Borthwick's oft-maligned tenure as England captain. It was February 2010 at the Stadio Flaminio and England had endured a dreadful day, barely squeaking by a limited Italian side. Off the skipper came to face the BBC microphone, before uttering a short sentence that came to define his muddled, morose stint.
'I thought some of the stuff we did was outstanding,' was the misjudged reply to the questioning of Sonja McLaughlan, an opinion that the ever-forthright No 8 Nick Easter almost immediately disagreed with. 'My god, that was boring,' Easter remarked post-match – an assessment most felt rather more correct. Borthwick lasted just two more matches before a knee injury ended his Six Nations; that July, while the lock was on his honeymoon in Bali, a call from Martin Johnson ended his international career entirely.
The time for patience is over – England must finally deliver a complete performance
Saturday 8 March 2025 07:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's LIVE coverage of the final fixture of this penultimate Six Nations weekend. Italy are at Twickenham seeking a first ever win over the hosts, with England hoping to finally produce a complete performance after squeaking past both France and Scotland.
Kick off at the Allianz Stadium is at 3pm.