England’s worst nightmares grew to become actuality as Italy recorded a historic 23-18 Six Nations victory on the Stadio Olimpico, beating them for the primary time.
Tasked with rising from the ruins in Rome after successive defeats to Scotland and Eire, England’s Six Nations stoop plunged to new depths on a well-known night time for Italian rugby.
England regarded on target to return to profitable methods after first‑half tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, together with two second‑half penalties from Fin Smith.
However the contest swung on the sin‑binnings Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje, with Leonardo Marin scoring the decisive attempt whereas the England captain was off the sphere as Italy claimed the prized scalp.
The win lifts Italy above England into fourth place within the Six Nations desk and retains them in competition for a prime‑three end for the primary time.
With a visit to title‑chasing France awaiting in spherical 5, second‑backside England are gazing their worst‑ever Six Nations marketing campaign – a end result that may immediate additional looking questions on their path below Steve Borthwick.
Italy declare historic win as England distress continues
England’s preparations on the Stadio Olimpico have been disrupted when Tom Curry was injured within the heat‑up, forcing Sam Underhill to step in as a late substitute.
The guests dominated the kicking battle to regulate the early exchanges however failed to show strain into factors.
It took till the twenty first minute for the primary rating, Paolo Garbisi kicking a penalty after Italy had established a foothold within the contest.
Tommy Freeman celebrates after scoring England’s opening attempt in Rome
Italy’s lead lasted solely 5 minutes, as Alex Cole’s sweeping move launched Freeman to attain untouched within the nook after a brutally direct line‑out routine.
The half swung again Italy’s manner by a second of brilliance from Tommaso Menoncello, who sliced between Joe Heyes and Underhill to revive the hosts’ benefit.
However England struck once more on the stroke of half‑time, Tom Roebuck gathering Fin Smith’s cross‑area kick and skipping over for a go‑forward attempt after the clock had gone pink.
Tommaso Menoncello celebrates earlier than scoring Italy’s opening attempt towards England
Two Smith penalties early within the second half stretched England’s lead past one rating, and their grip tightened when Italy prop Giacomo Nicotera was sin‑binned.
However Underhill’s yellow card, adopted by two Garbisi penalties in 4 minutes, lower England’s result in two.
Moments later, Itoje was proven a yellow for slapping the ball out of Alessandro Garbisi’s arms, leaving England briefly right down to 13.
With the numbers of their favour, Italy seized their second. Menoncello bulldozed his manner down the wing with one other impressed second earlier than offloading inside to Marin, who crossed for the decisive, historical past‑making attempt.
England’s gamers stand on the pitch as Italy’s Leonardo Marin celebrates after scoring a attempt throughout the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and England in Rome, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Picture/Gregorio Borgia)
Borthwick: England terribly dissatisfied
England head coach Steve Borthwick, chatting with ITV Sport:
“Credit Italy, a very good side who have developed a long way. You could see that with the level of their performance.
“We’re terribly dissatisfied, gutted by not getting the end result. For 60 minutes I believed we have been in management however the two sin-binnings damage us.
“[Discipline] has cost us. It was the forwards today but the amount of times we have been without a back-three player and conceded points… it has been a significant factor in this championship.
“It provides masses to different gamers and is one thing we have to do so much higher.”
Itoje: Reality check for England
England captain Maro Itoje, speaking to ITV Sport after the loss in Rome:
“It’s clearly very disappointing, and it’s on us as gamers. Now we have to put on this efficiency and personal the end result. It is a results-based enterprise.
“This team, over the last year, has put some good performances together but recently we haven’t. This result wasn’t good enough.
“Now we have to face the info, face actuality and get again to work. If we knew [what was wrong] we in all probability would not be on this place.
“We have to stick together. Teams go through tough periods and we have having one now. We take responsibility for that as players.”
