England 47-24 Italy: Hosts roar to Six Nations bonus-point win after Azzurri second-half capitulation

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Sky Sports activities’ James Cole assesses England’s win over Italy within the Six Nations and says their fluidity bodes effectively

England moved as much as second within the Six Nations standings as they roared to an eventual 47-24 bonus-point victory over Italy at Twickenham after a second-half Azzurri capitulation.

An entertaining first half noticed the edges commerce tries by means of No 8 Tom Willis and wings Tommy Freeman and Ollie Sleightholme for England, along with Italy scores by way of full-back Ange Capuozzo and No 8 Ross Vintcent, with the guests firmly within the contest at 21-17 by half-time.

Italy created an enormous probability to edge in entrance in the beginning of the second interval, however once they did not take that they have been ruthlessly punished by England, who scored quick-fire tries by means of Marcus Smith – on for Ollie Lawrence after 9 minutes as a result of damage – and Tom Curry, earlier than including additional efforts by means of Sleightholme once more and flanker Ben Earl.

The victory pushes England above Eire within the standings with one spherical to play, and leaves them one level shy of title favourites France.

Italy began effectively to carve out the primary little bit of attacking territory, however they have been rocked when Willis went over for the opener in simply the fourth minute as robust house defence compelled scrum-half Stephen Varney to cough up the ball, with the hosts then countering at tempo to attain on the different finish.

England No 8 Tom Willis compelled his approach over for the hosts’ opening strive

Freeman was simply denied within the 22 by Italy’s overlaying defence as England have been energised by that early rating, however two extra entries within the 22 then got here to nothing as assaults stagnated and Italy may clear.

Within the 14th minute, the Azzurri have been then all of the sudden stage by means of scorching full-back Capuozzo as he reached an ideal Monty Ioane chip forward to attain.

Italy’s Ange Capuozzo raced over for his or her first strive, levelling up the competition

Paolo Garbisi produced a very poor place-kick miss with the possibility to steer on 23 minutes, and Italy have been made to pay 4 minutes later as Freeman acquired in for England’s second strive after gathering a beautiful Elliot Daly grubber-kick into house – the full-back executing it with the surface of his left.

Tommy Freeman scored England’s second within the nook off an excellent Elliot Daly try-assist

Nonetheless, Italy fought again once more as Capuozzo produced a trademark dazzling break from deep and located Vintcent in help – the back-row’s tempo taking England and the entire stadium abruptly when he stormed by means of for a attempt to make it 14-14.

Sloppy Italy play noticed them behind once more quickly after, although, as Sleightholme completed within the nook after the guests acquired too slender in defence.

Fin Smith transformed effectively once more for the complete haul, however Garbisi narrowed that result in 4 factors shortly earlier than the break with a penalty.

Ollie Sleightholme scored England’s third earlier than half-time to edge them again into the lead

Three minutes into the second half, Italy created an enormous strive alternative to steer, however as an alternative of passing by means of the fingers to attain, an enormous miss-pass gave England the possibility to run throughout and fill the gaps.

Italy’s profligacy was then punished as England scored twice in three minutes: first by means of the tempo of Marcus Smith, after which by means of an in depth vary Tom Curry pick-and-go after a rolling maul had made huge metres within the 22.

Smith scored one in every of two tries in three minutes to kill off Italy early within the second half

Tom Curry’s strive – so quickly after Smith’s – was a decisive, hammer blow to Italy

Fin Smith transformed each for an enormous 35-17 lead, and Sleightholme notched his second and England’s sixth quickly after when stalwarts Maro Itoje and Jamie George roared ahead on turnover ball and produced offloads – the latter a cutely disguised one out to the wing on his a hundredth cap.

Regardless of that strive arriving within the 53rd minute, a lull within the scoring then came visiting the Check which grew to become more and more scrappy – centre Tommaso Menoncello including a 3rd Italy strive within the 71st minute.

England would end with the final phrase, although, as Italy sought to play from their very own 22 within the ultimate play however have been turned over by Ben Curry, who handed on for Earl to attain.

Itoje relishing Wales problem in Cardiff | Lamaro: We have to stick collectively

England captain Itoje on ITV Sport…

“We wanted to get five points, as always with games of rugby we probably wanted to be a little more dominant and tidy up our defence a little bit. But we put ourselves in a good positions.

“We needed to maneuver the ball, discover house, be a bit extra aggressive with the ball in hand and we did at the moment.

“We have to do what we have to do. Wales playing England in Cardiff is a massive game, I know from experience it’s a tough place to go.”

Italy captain Michele Lamaro to ITV Sport…

“We were very inconsistent. We lost a bit of consistency in the game, had brilliant moments but were switching off in some periods and at the start of the second half conceded two clear opportunities.

“Clearly they’re an awesome group in order that they took it. We have to work on that, we have to keep collectively as a result of we’ve got one other huge week and big sport.”

George reflects on his ’emotional, special day’

England’s George, who picked up his 100th cap, said to ITV Sport…

“I believe we have been proud of our intent to get our attacking sport going. It wasn’t good however we’re actually happy with our intent to maneuver the ball and get bums off seats. That is what we tried to do.

“The first half was a bit messy but the first part after half-time is probably the blue-print of how we want to play.

“I mentioned to myself I needed to get pleasure from the entire week. It is actually emotional strolling out with my daughter, that is actually particular. The reception I had, I’ve beloved taking part in for England and I actually felt the reference to the followers at the moment.

England hooker Jamie George led the aspect out along with his daughter on the event of his a hundredth cap

“I felt like I still had a lot more to give to the shirt and the team, I feel really confident about where this team is going. We have an opportunity to win it next week.

“If I used to be going to lose the captaincy to anyone else I mentioned I might like it to be Maro, I am hopeful I am supporting him in each approach I can. With myself and the opposite senior guys, it is a good management group we’ve got happening.”

What’s next?

England complete their 2025 championship away to Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff next Saturday March 15 (4.45pm kick-off).

Before that, Italy host Ireland in their final game of the championship as they play the first Test of three fixtures on ‘Super Saturday’ (2.15pm kick-off)

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