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BBC News
08-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
England aim to thrill on their own terms against Italy
Guinness Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyDate: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamCoverage: Listen to full match commentary on BBC Sport website and app; follow live text commentary online; watch on ITV1 For England, Sunday is mission would say they have already accomplished it several times far in the Six Nations, when on the turf, rather than in front of a microphone, their promises of moving the ball have turned out to mean in one direction: upwards, via the three games, England have kicked 120 times in open play. No other team comes close to that the next most kick-happy, have done so 100 times. Scotland are down at just there is a logic and pedigree to the tactic,, external the Allianz Stadium crowd are not times against Scotland and France, they grumbled as Alex Mitchell or Fin Smith lined up a skywards when both games came to the boil, the atmosphere was bubbling.A pair of one-point, cliff-hanger victories kept 80-odd thousand in their seats and off their feet and England in the title has become England's their last 15 matches against Six Nations or Rugby Championship opposition have all been decided by a single-digit margin. The average winning margin across those games is a skinny 3.5 Italy, they could do without the drama. A few more spectators making an early cut for the train station may, on this occasion, be welcome. Victory in comfort and a bonus point in some style should be the an opponent they have beaten in all 31 of their previous meetings, England are strong enough to take the possibility of an upset out of the visitors' awkward bounce, a refereeing call, a moment of Azzurri genius - the hosts should have amassed enough points to insulate themselves against all such eventualities by the business end of the outcome certain, the bonus point secure; boring, but in a better have benched their most exciting player in pursuit of this Smith's name registers the highest decibels when England's team is announced before kick-off. If you ask any young fan who they are looking forward to seeing, invariably it is the Harlequins nose for a gap, jagging step and instinctive unpredictability were England's surest sources of tries throughout the faked drop-goal and blind-side dart produced the first against South Africa. His poked kick in behind Australia's defence set up the opening score against the Wallabies. His interception and canter upfield put them ahead in the second half against New time though, they were pyrotechnics in losing search of more sustainable scoring, England have brought in some pre-heated cohesion, installing Fin Smith at fly-half and, after a year out the side, Fraser Dingwall at inside are two of five Northampton players in the George Furbank been fit, Saints would surely be only one slot away from a full house."I watched the relationship between 9,10 and 12 in training this week and have an understanding with each other that doesn't take any communication," said head coach Steve Borthwick this week."They seem to know what each other is going to do." Marcus Smith, who was told last week that he could be world class in his new full-back role, has been replaced at 15 by 32-year-old Elliot is just the latest shuffle that Borthwick, who has enviously highlighted the settled systems and experience of Ireland, France and Scotland, has made over the campaign.A rookie 10 has come in, the Henry Slade-Ollie Lawrence centre partnership into which he has sunk considerable game time has come out, and three different full-backs have started across four latest mix needs to work, not just for the nerves of the Twickenham regulars, but for the standings the result between Ireland and France in Dublin on Saturday, England will head into the final day as distinct outsiders for the given their current negative points difference, a failure to take five points from their meeting with Italy, would stretch their odds even hooker Jamie George has been presented with a ceremonial cap denoting his 100th England appearance before kick-off, England will be concerned about racking up a big number of their were compliant last time out, fading fast in the second half as France ran in 11 tries in a 73-24 win in might not be this year, they outscored England three tries to two, running them closer than ever in the Six Nations before succumbing row Federico Ruzza said that he and his team-mates have "looked each other in the face" after the France injured wing Louis Lynagh has warned the defeat was "an outlier". "It would be dangerous for England to think otherwise," he told Planet Rugby., external With runners like Ange Capuozzo, Monty Ioane and Tomasso Menoncello, they have flair, if they can reignite their for their title hopes and their fans' belief in their progress and promises, England need to finish the fight standing among Roman you not entertained? England will hope to have done so in a different way when Sunday's verdict is delivered.
BBC News
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Superpowers & genius - Italy's 'Brexoncello' take aim at England
Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyDate: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamCoverage: Live audio commentary via the BBC Sport website and app Brexit, Brangelina, Barbieheimer. And Brexoncello?If only true cultural phenomena get a cut-and-shut shorthand, Italy's midfield is on to something Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello are a classic buddy-cop 32, born in Argentina, has come halfway around the world to put his wily hands and gainline nous at Italy's is a younger gun, born a decade later and brought up in the rugby heartland of Treviso. His battering-ram running and energy have scrambled the most organised of partnership has become something of a Treviso, their club side, posted a video of the pair lifting weights together, external, accompanied by a heart emoji and one word: 'Brexoncello'.Flip to January in Treviso's charity calendar for this year and there they are again, posing topless together with a rehomed dog., externalBut you still see it best on the days ago, 11 minutes into their meeting with France at the Stadio Olimpico, was a textbook example; Brex luring the defence on to him, slipping a pass and Menoncello rampaging through for a score from 40 metres out."He is fantastic to play with," Menoncello tells BBC Sport of Brex. "He is a genius with his little passes, he is famous for them and it is very difficult to defend.""He is younger, he is faster, he brings every physical part of the game," says Brex, repaying the compliments."Maybe I am more the playmaker, and he is more the creator and finisher. That is why we work together on the pitch, we have different characteristics." Menoncello, a promising footballer who played against Juventus' youth team before his sporting interests turned oval, used to watch Brex from the was 18 when he got a close-up view, having been called into Treviso's senior side as injury cover."'Nacho' was the first guy to bring me into the squad and he has always brought me under his wing," recalls his part, Brex remembers the impression the teenage Menoncello left on his new, older colleagues."Everyone just said 'wow'. He was like he is now. We realised he can do super things, he has superpowers. It was really exciting."They have been inseparable ever Menoncello recovered from a shoulder injury that kept him out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, they have been the starting centre combination for 13 of Italy's subsequent 14 fill the same spots for their club, greasing their combination to a slick shine."We are together in training, in the dressing room, at backs sessions, in the gym," says Brex. "Maybe I spend more time with him than with my family! That's the truth!"That proximity is part of Italy's power. They have fewer players, but also fewer club patterns to and Menoncello are two of 16 Treviso players in Italy's Six Nations squad."I know him as a player and person much better than if I had to play with a guy from another club," says Brex."It is not the same feeling as playing with the person you meet every single day - that is a good part of our game."Brex and Menoncello see the same strength in another portmanteau midfield: 'Huwipulotu', otherwise known as Glasgow and Scotland first-choice centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw broke out of the collective last year though, becoming only the second Italian to win the Six Nations player of the tournament award."I want to prove myself and prove to the world that I can be at that level and can further improve my game," he says."It is hard though. For sure, there is more attention on me, I see the teams defending me, watching me, expecting those runs." One columnist said Brex would have been a worthier winner of the individual award, external. They have both seen the article. Menoncello agrees with it. Brex doesn't ."It is all him," says Brex. "He deserves it 100%, he is the difference and I told him before the Six Nations that I will work for him so he can fight for it again."The award was recognition of a superb 2024 campaign by Italy, in which they beat both Wales and Scotland and drew with year has not been as good. Italy have played those same three teams in the opening three rounds, beating Wales, but suffering an away defeat by Scotland and a walloping at home to France."We want to change our picture," says Brex of the underdogs' standing among the Six Nations. "Maybe they respect us a little bit more, but not like we want, it still drives us."This weekend takes Brex and Menoncello to Twickenham, where they will be opposite an untested England centre combination of Fraser Dingwall and Ollie memorably describes Allianz Stadium as "the temple of rugby", but Italy are no longer a straightforward sacrifice for the and Menoncello played excellently in a narrow 27-24 defeat in Rome when the teams last they get ball on the front foot, they can cause damage once this might the final chance for prime Brexoncello to leave a lasting imprint on contract with Treviso runs out at the end of next season. He will likely leave for a club in France's Top 14 when it does. His partnership with Brex may well continue for Italy, but the day-to-day connection will be lost."If one day I don't play with him every day, it is OK," says Brex. "He has to grow, that's the truth. As long as he is happy, I am happy."If their one-two midfield punch lands right on Sunday, Brex, Menoncello and their Italy team-mates might all be very happy indeed.
BBC News
05-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Marcus Smith dropped with Daly at 15 to face Italy
Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyDate: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamCoverage: Live audio commentary via the BBC Sport website and app Elliot Daly will start ahead of Marcus Smith at full-back for England's match against Italy on Sunday, with the Harlequins playmaker dropped to the Dingwall, who won his last England cap more than a year ago, comes into centres alongside Ollie Lawrence, with Henry Slade left out of the matchday inclusion means five of the seven backs are from Northampton, with Alex Mitchell and Fin Smith continuing their half-back George starts at hooker as he becomes the seventh player to reach a century of caps for the England men's scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, who scored in England A's win over Ireland's second string last month, is preferred to Harry Randall as the scrum-half cover among the replacements. England team to face Italy England: Daly; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, Earl, WillisReplacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Heyes, Hill, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Van Poortvliet, M Smith More to follow.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Losing captaincy almost made me end England career'
Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyDate: Sunday, 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamCoverage: Live audio commentary via the BBC Sport website and app Jamie George considered ending his England career because of the shock and pain of losing the captaincy before the start of the Six George, 34, succeeded Owen Farrell as England skipper before last year's championship, but was replaced by Saracens team-mate Maro Itoje in January."It was hard, it was difficult, it was frustrating and obviously then that makes you question if you can do it," he told BBC Sport's Rugby Union Weekly podcast."I won't lie and say it didn't go through my head [finishing his England career] because I didn't really know how logistically it would work and if it would be too awkward to be coming back in. I didn't want to tread on any toes."George says he consulted his father, uncle and wife on his decision, and not all of them thought he should continue his international career."But ultimately it was 'what is your gut feel?" George added. "Initially I didn't know if I could go back, but I watched the Ireland game [this year's Six Nations opener which he missed through injury] and all I wanted to do was be back on that field because I missed it."Under George, England finished third in the 2024 Six Nations, but then suffered a run of five successive defeats in matches against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa across the summer and won five of 12 Tests under his who has picked up three Six Nations titles and played in the 2019 World Cup final, said head coach Steve Borthwick broke the news to him over coffee in a "pretty to-the-point" conversation in St Albans."I think he was surprised by me questioning myself," added George. "I think it would hit anyone hard. It was a job that I loved, I was incredibly proud to be able to do it and I felt I was at the start of something. It was a surprise." George added that he would have preferred to have given more time to digest the news privately, with his conversation with Borthwick coming only a day before Itoje's promotion was made his appointment, Itoje described George as "a great friend and leader" who had led the team "brilliantly", while Borthwick explained that having a skipper who was on the pitch for 80 minutes, rather than, like most front rows, replaced midway through the second half, was one factor in his said he is now taking inspiration from cricketer Joe Root, who was in a similar situation in 2022 when the England Test captaincy was passed to Ben Stokes."His batting improved significantly off the back of not being captain any more and he looked freed up and enjoying himself and still contributing a huge amount and them valuing his leadership," said George."I am not saying I am the Joe Root of the England rugby team, but I have taken inspiration from that."George, who said the captaincy going to Itoje "eased me a lot as I know how good Maro is", is poised to win his 100th England cap in Sunday's match against Saracen replaced Luke Cowan-Dickie off the bench to help his team to nail-biting wins over France and Scotland in their past two still has big ambitions in the sport and wants to go on a third British and Irish Lions tour this summer and represent England at the 2027 World Cup, both of which are in along with fellow front row Ellis Genge, is now an England vice-captain. You will be able to hear the whole interview on the latest Rugby Union Weekly podcast with Chris Jones and Chris Ashton, which will be available to download from BBC Sounds first thing on Wednesday morning. 'Surreal' to win 100th England cap George made his England debut as a replacement for Tom Youngs in a 25-20 defeat by France before the 2015 World helped England win a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2016 and retain their title in 2017 as Eddie Jones' team went on a run of 18 successive Test victories - but all his appearances came from the bench as then captain Dylan Hartley dominated the number two George's first Test start came for the British and Irish Lions on their tour of New Zealand in the summer of 2017. George started all three matches against the All Blacks in a drawn series, before finally making his first England start against Samoa at Twickenham in November that year. "I never thought I would be here, ever, in a million years," he said. "Genuinely it is surreal. I am blown away by it all."The whole journey has not been straightforward, but you sort of learn and you get your head down. I learnt pretty early on that I had to be resilient and toughen up a bit. I feel that I have done that well. "I am as ambitious now as I was when I was 25 and I first came into the team."George is poised to become the seventh male player to win 100 England caps after Ben Youngs (127), Dan Cole (118), Jason Leonard (114), Owen Farrell (112), Courtney Lawes (105) and Danny Care (101).
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carling questions quality of England coaches
Men's Six Nations: England v ItalyDate: Sunday 9 March Kick-off: 15:00 GMT Venue: Allianz Stadium, TwickenhamCoverage: Live audio commentary via the BBC Sport website and app Former captain Will Carling has questioned the quality and experience of England's current coaching set-up, suggesting it is preventing the team reaching their full recovered from an opening-round defeat by Ireland with dramatic one-point wins over France and Scotland, but have still been criticised for their style of play so far in the Six Nations."We do have some talented players there's no doubt and maybe we're seeing a slightly restricted version of them," Carling told BBC Radio 4's Today programme., external"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." England head coach Steve Borthwick is leading an international team for the first time, having previously worked as an assistant with England and Japan. He also led Leicester to the Premiership title in he took charge of England, Borthwick recruited Richard Wigglesworth and Kevin Sinfield – both of whom are less than a decade into their coaching careers - from his Tigers coach Joe El-Abd is working in international rugby for the first time and splitting his time between England and second-tier French side Oyonnax until the end of the season, while, at 33, scrum coach Tom Harrison is younger than hooker Jamie Jones, who was part of the coaching team that won back-to-back Rugby World Cups with South Africa, left England's set-up in August after only seven months in his post. Jones has now returned to work with the Springboks once more. "I still think we're way off the potential of this team and let's just hope we start seeing that," added Carling, who was had a part-time mentoring role with England under Borthwick's predecessor Eddie vice-captain Ellis Genge said last week former players such as Carling were "out of touch" in their criticism of the team, failing to give them due credit for turning around a run of six defeats in seven Tests earlier in the year."I wouldn't necessarily agree with him," Carling said. "A lot of ex-players are hugely experienced and have a lot of knowledge."But I understand that when you're a current player you're highly sensitive."You're trying as hard as you can to win games [and] they've had a tough run. Let's be honest, we're talking a tough run for three or four years now. That's where players have to understand people will have opinions."I remember all these times we had some very ugly wins and you watch the reaction of the media and the fans."It is a bit frustrating but you have to take a deep breath and accept that's part and parcel of it."Carling captained England 59 times, leading them to three Grand Slams and a Rugby World Cup final during the 1990s.
