At last; substance and style, in the same game. On a bright spring day, England played bright attacking rugby to win without an asterisk attached – denoting negative tactics.
It was a riot of pulsating positivity at Twickenham, after the dull kick-fest against Scotland two weeks earlier. It was England’s third successive win in this Six Nations and the first one which was delivered with a swagger and a flourish. While it wasn’t flawless by any means, especially in the final quarter as the Italians rallied, there was intent to play with freedom and the capacity crowd lapped it up.
This was a statement of hope and promise, against an Italy side who produced their own moments of glittering class. England scored seven tries, to claim an emphatic bonus-point win. It surely won’t be enough to secure the championship title, unless Scotland can upset France in Paris on Saturday, but Steve Borthwick’s national team will travel to Cardiff confident that they have the momentum to beat Wales and finish with a four-out-of-five campaign.
Last year, English creativity often came in a losing cause. Then, last month, their one-point wins over the French and Scots featured a sustained barrage of box-kicks, which prompted boos and unrest. The backlash led to vice-captain Ellis Genge lashing out at ‘out of touch’ critics including former players, but that won’t be an issue after this win.
From the fourth minute when the first try was scored, this was more like it – the sort of ambitious rugby which generates public support and satisfaction, albeit against a team who shipped 73 in their last game, at home against France. England actually off-loaded the ball to each other, which was a welcome novelty. Some of the handling from backs and forwards alike was glorious to behold.
There was collateral damage as Ollie Lawrence departed early on with an injury which left him with a protective boot on his left leg. What that meant was that Borthwick’s decision to drop Marcus Smith to the bench was soon made redundant as the Harlequins playmaker ended up on the field for more than 70 minutes anyway – and he brought the house down with a fine try in the second half.
England eased past Italy to keep their Six Nations title hopes alive going into their final game
The Three Lions secured a 47-24 win – their biggest margin of victory at this year’s tournament
They face last-placed Wales in Cardiff next Saturday and must win to stand a chance at beating France to the title
This was a 26th consecutive Six Nations victory over Italy and it allowed Jamie George to enjoy the grand occasion of his 100th Test appearance for his country. The former captain played well, as did his leadership successor, Maro Itoje and so many other including Ollie Chessum – the official Man of the Match, Tom Curry and Tommy Freeman.
England burst out of the blocks with an early try and it was a long-range blockbuster. Elliot Daly opted to counter-attack from his own 22 with an arcing outside break and from the ensuing ruck near halfway, the ball was shipped right at pace. Fin Smith’s long pass released Tommy Freeman out wide, he surged forward and picked out Tom Curry’s supporting run inside.
The rampaging flanker was stopped deep in the visitors’ 22 but England had powerful momentum and they used it. Quick ball from the breakdown allowed Alex Mitchell to send Tom Willis crashing through a desperate last tackle and he stretched to score. Fin Smith converted for 7-0.
Unfortunately for Borthwick, his best-laid plans for this game turned to dust in the eighth minute when Lawrence was forced off injured, having gone down in pain without anyone near him. On came Marcus Smith and the noise from the crowd showed how happy they were to see the demoted playmaker.
However, in the 14th minute, Italy hit back to level the scores in fine style. From a lineout on halfway, Ignacio Brex chased and regathered a kick through and England’s defence scrambled to realign. They couldn’t do so fast enough, as Monty Ioane chipped ahead on the right and Ange Capuozzo raced through and pounced on the bounce to touch down. Paolo Garbisi’s conversion put his side back on terms.
The Toulon fly-half was off-target with his next shot at goal – a penalty – but the Italians were firmly in the ascendancy. Fin Smith had to clear impressively under pressure when Capuozzo and Ioane combined again on the right to create another scoring chance.
Just before the half-hour, against the run of play, England struck again. Ben Earl ran back a goal-line drop out and quick passing to the right allowed Daly to kick cleverly towards the corner, where Freeman gathered and stepped in-field to score. Fin Smith’s conversion made it 14-7.
Undeterred, back came Italy to level the match again with a stunning try. Ioane’s quick lineout to Capuozzo created the opening and the full-back scorched past a flailing George and over halfway. He sent a reverse pass to Ross Vintcent and the galloping Exeter No 8 left England defenders trailing as he went clear and dived over. Garbisi’s extras made it an even contest once more.
Sunday afternoon’s result was England’s 26th consecutive Six Nations victory over Italy
England’s seven-try victory margin was the third-largest in any game at the 2025 Six Nations
It was end-to-end stuff and five minutes before the break, Borthwick’s side regained the lead. From a quick tap penalty they pounded towards the opposition line and then capitalised on having a penalty advantage, with the ball sent left and Marcus Smith’s long pass freeing Sleightholme to sprint in at the corner.
Fin Smith’s wide conversion was impressive to restore a seven-point cushion, but Italy ended the half the stronger of the teams. A Garbisi penalty cut the gap to four points and the Azzurri could have snatched the lead, but an attacking maul was stopped near the home line.
Soon after the re-start, Italy squandered a glorious try opening on the left by failing to make use of an overlap – and England soon punished them for the lapse. After Will Stuart demonstrated nifty footwork for a tighthead prop, Tom Curry charged hard in midfield and from his offload, Marcus Smith broke a tackle then swerved around Capuozzo and off to the line. Twickenham was still buzzing as Fin Smith’s conversion tightened the English grip on proceedings.
It tightened further three minutes later. The hosts established another strong attacking platform in the Italian 22 and from a maul, Tom Curry – by now operating in tandem with twin brother Ben – made another aggressive dent in the opposition defence. Alex Mitchell sniped towards the line and when he was stopped, there was Tom Curry again to pick up and drive over. Fin Smith’s latest strike off the tee made it 35-17. Game over.
The onslaught continued, with bells on. The next England try was a showcase of forward handling as Maro Itoje thundered into space and delivered an overhead off-load, Ben Curry released the ball deftly one-handed and George did the same, out of a tackle, to set up Sleightholme’s second try, in the left corner. That was the hooker’s last act before he went off to noisy acclaim from the stands, after Fin Smith’s latest conversion increased the lead to 27 points.
Italy didn’t just surrender. They regained a decent share of possession and territory in the final quarter and had a try by Tommaso Menoncello to show for their improved efforts. But their fate had already been sealed. England were a long way clear and they disappeared out of sight at the death as Ben Curry stole the ball and sent Ben Earl away for one last try, to round off the rout.
