England slumped to a new Six Nations low as they suffered their first-ever defeat to Italy.
The Azzurri were deserved winners in Rome as they broke new ground, completing the set of championship victories and beating England at the 33rd attempt. A late try from Leonardo Marin, set up by the outstanding Tommaso Menoncello, took Gonzalo Quesada’s side to a famous victory, with the visitors made to pay for their ill-discipline.
Captian Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill were shown yellow cards as England suffered a third successive defeat, squandering a position of strength having led by eight points early in the second half despite Menoncelllo’s individual score. It is a result that will cause huge questions over their direction under Steve Borthwick, who cut a frustrated figure throughout the second half as his side slipped again to defeat.
Follow all of the latest from the Six Nations clash with our live blog below:
Italy vs England live
- Italy conquer England for the first time in the Six Nations
- FT: Italy 23-18 England
- TRY! ITALY 23-18 England (Leonardo Marin, 73 minutes)
- TRY! Italy 10-12 ENGLAND (Tom Roebuck, 43 minutes)
- TRY! ITALY 10-5 England (Tommaso Menoncello, 35 minutes)
- TRY! Italy 3-5 ENGLAND (Tommy Freeman, 27 minutes)
England slump to new Six Nations low as Italy secure historic win
19:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland suffered a historic first defeat to Italy with a 23-18 collapse at the Stadio Olimpico raising the grim prospect of falling to their worst Six Nations finish.
An 18-10 lead built through tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck and the boot of Fin Smith crumbled in the third quarter when Paolo Garbisi turned the tide by landing two penalties.
Italy then took advantage of Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje being sent to the sin-bin to strike the decisive blow when Leonardo Marin finished a thrilling try down the left touchline.
England slump to new Six Nations low as Italy make history with first-ever win
England head coach Steve Borthwick speaks to ITV
19:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle“I think firstly, credit to Italy. They are a very good side that have developed a long way. You can see that in their performance.
“We are terribly disappointed. We are gutted by not being able to get the result. I thought for 60 minutes, we were in pretty good control of the game, but two sin-bin incidents and going down to 13 men really hurt us.
[On the ill-discipline}: “It’s cost us. It’s certainly been a significant factor in this championship.”
And here's a rather more dejected Maro Itoje
18:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Look, it’s obviously disappointing. It’s on us as players. We have to wear the performance. This team over the last year have put some good performances together; of recent, we haven’t. We have to face the facts and face reality and get back to work.
“We obviously have to figure that out. If we knew, we probably wouldn’t be in this position. Teams go through tough periods, and we are going through a tough period now. As players, we take responsibility for that.
“We just have to own the result. We are in a results-based business, and the result wasn’t good enough. As players, and as captain, I take responsibility for that.”
Michele Lamaro speaks to ITV after an historic win
18:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle“Obviously there was a lot of tension before the game. We felt this game was close, so we were pretty nervous. But during the game we felt we built that confidence, we stuck with them. Then we had that last period where they had the two yellow cards and we managed to get over the line. We fought together, as always, and stuck together for the whole 80 minutes, which was the important thing.
“I’m very proud of the performance. We’ve got another massive game next week and we’ve got to go for it.”
FT: Italy 23-18 England
18:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleAs for England...well, where next? It was another shambles for Steve Borthwick’s side, though of a different type, taking a position of strength and then letting it slip. They drop below their opponents in the table.
FT: Italy 23-18 England
18:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleRemarkable. For the first time in their history, Italy have BEATEN England! Jubliant scenes all around the Stadio Olimpico, not least on the pitch among a group of players for which this result has been coming.
Italy have now beaten every Six Nations side.
FULL TIME: Italy 23-18 England
18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy 23-18 England, 80 minutes
18:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleOne more lineout take will surely seal it for Italy...
Italy 23-18 England, 80 minutes
18:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Stadio Olimpico is jumping. There are 40 seconds left as Paolo Garbisi boots the penalty towards touch.
Italy 23-18 England, 78 minutes
18:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the final two minutes, and perhaps England’s final chance. Marcus Smith is on and looking to orchestrate.
Ollie Chessum goes striding up the centre. Can he offload? No, Italy shut him down. Onwards go England towards the 22...penalty to Italy! That may be enough! Tommy Freeman just a little isolated and Michele Lamaro latches on!
Italy 23-18 England, 77 minutes
18:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s all gone wrong for England. Tom Roebuck, normally so assured under the high ball, knocks on in the air. Italy’s possession inside the England half with time ticking away.
Italy 23-18 England, 76 minutes
18:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are stern faces along the England bench and in the coaches’ box as Fin Smith’s errant crossfield kick sails way over the head of Tom Roebuck. Monty Ioane had it marked, anyway.
Italy 23-18 England, 75 minutes
18:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick throws on Henry Pollock, with Maro Itoje still off the field. England need something special at this stage - can the replacement provide it?
Itoje’s yellow card period is not far away from ending.
TRY! ITALY 23-18 England (Leonardo Marin, 73 minutes)
18:24 , Harry Latham-CoyleForza! Italy lead England in the final 10 minutes!
A searching crossfield kick from Paolo Garbisi sets it up, finding Monty Ioane wide on the left. Ioane shakes free of a defender and offloads to Tommaso Menoncello, who makes a speed bump of Elliot Daly.
Menoncello has the presence of mind to tee up Leonardo Marin on the inside - under the posts he trots and Italy lead by five!
Italy 16-18 England, 72 minutes
18:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleA stroke of fortune for England, Seb Atkinson’s ill-conceived crossfield kick half-blocked but landing in the hands of Bevan Rodd, ruled onside thanks to the Italian touch. But that’s fortune for Italy, the ball bouncing free at a ruck with England building momentum in the 22.
Italy 16-18 England, 71 minutes
18:21 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome pick-up from Elliot Daly, there, as if at second slip as he scoops off his bootlaces after Tom Roebuck’s tap back.
Italy 16-18 England, 69 minutes
18:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt feels mightily tense in Rome - pressure on England after back-to-back defeats, pressure on Italy with an historic win in sight. Lorenzo Pani and Monty Ioane get in a mix up over a Jack van Poortvliet box kick, though there are enough Italian shirts there to pick up the pieces. Alessandro Fusco hooks a superb clearance away with his left boot beyond halfway.
Italy 16-18 England, 67 minutes
18:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland are still in the mire, particularly with Jamie George increasingly struggling. He takes his time before picking out his target right at the front of the lineout, clearing enough space for Jack van Poortvliet to clear.
Here comesOllie Chessum...and that’s superb impact from the lock, up like lightning at the front to steal an Italy lineout. Van Poortvliet is then tackled in the air, foolishly - penalty to England, and Sam Underhill returns. Luke Cowan-Dickie will soon be on to relieve George, too.
Italy 16-18 England, 66 minutes
18:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleA vital defensive stand from England! Ben Earl, that is superb, almost single-handedly halting an Italian maul and then hauling it towards touch. With just six forwards to defend the drive, that’s some effort.
Gonzalo Quesada spreads his hands in disbelief - that’s four 22 entries for just one try so far for his side, a persisent problem throughout this competition.
YELLOW CARD! Maro Itoje is sent to the sin bin! Italy 16-18 England, 65 minutes
18:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd England are down to 13! Maro Itoje follows Sam Underhill to the sin bin, deemed to have cynically slapped the ball out of Alessandro Fusco’s hands at the back of a maul.
Wow. England are up the proverbial here, even with that narrow lead. Italy kick into the 22.
Sam Underhill's sanction stays a yellow card! Italy 16-18 England, 64 minutes
18:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleGood news for England - Sam Underhill will be back once his 10 minutes in the sin bin have elapsed. A high degree of danger in the tackle but mitigation from the presence of Ellis Genge and a late change in direction.
Italy are back to 15 men - Tommaso Di Bartolomeo replaces Giacomo Nicotera.
Italy 16-18 England, 62 minutes
18:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleElliot Daly beats both Monty Ioane and Federico Ruzza in a phonebox, but ends up smashed through the glass by the next tackler. Into touch.
PENALTY! ITALY 16-18 England (Paolo Garbisi, 61 minutes)
18:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleA friendly peck off the post and Paolo Garbisi’s kick goes through. Pressure on England with Italy back within a couple of points.
Italy 13-18 England, 59 minutes
18:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleFin Smith looks to be cramping up - the fly half grasped at his right hamstring immediately after taking the restart. No sign of Marcus Smith just yet.
And Italy are beginning to surge. They snatch England;s lineout ball at the front and fling the ball away to the right. Louis Lynagh puts the ball in behind via his boot, and Italian support arrives to earn another breakdown penalty.
Italy 13-18 England, 58 minutes
18:07 , Harry Latham-CoyleChanges for both sides. England bring on Bevan Rodd and Jack van Poortvliet for Ellis Genge and Ben Spencer, while Mirco Spagnolo has replaced Danilo Fischetti in the Italian front row.
PENALTY! ITALY 13-18 England (Paolo Garbisi, 57 minutes)
18:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleWith both sides now down to 14 men, Paolo Garbisi whittles away at the English advantage.
YELLOW CARD! Sam Underhill is sent to the sin bin! Italy 10-18 England, 57 minutes
18:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt is that tackle on Danilo Fischetti requiring inspection - and Sam Underhill is off to the sin bin! That one will be sent to the bunker for review - Underhill is the second tackler, with Ellis Genge hitting first and perhaps causing mitigation. But there was shoulder to head contact, and Underhill could have been lower.
TMO check! Italy 10-18 England, 57 minutes
18:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow now - Underhill may actually be in bother. TMO Eric Gauzins wants a look at a possible high tackle.
Italy 10-18 England, 56 minutes
18:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleSam Underhill is having a stormer. Called in late after Tom Curry’s injury, the openside absolutely melts Danilo Fischetti before pilfering a breakdown turnover two phases later.
Italy 10-18 England, 54 minutes
18:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland are out beyond a score for the first time, then, and with an extra man for the next nine minutes or so. This feels the sort of position of strength from which they consistently closed games out during the 12-match winning run - can the lessons learned during that series be helpful again?
PENALTY! Italy 10-18 ENGLAND (Fin Smith, 54 minutes)
18:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleFin Smith adds three more points to his and England’s tally.
YELLOW CARD! Giacomo Nicotera is sent to the sin bin! Italy 10-15 England, 53 minutes
17:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, that’s very cynical indeed from Giacomo Nicotera. On the floor, out of play, and totally off his feet at the ruck, the hooker can’t help but throw an elbow at the ball in Ben Spencer’s hands as he tries to play away. Rightly, out comes the yellow card.
Italy 10-15 England, 52 minutes
17:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleMaro Itoje again! This looks more like the England captain of last year, another breakdown turnover won brilliantly after a crunching tackle from Sam Underhill.
Italy 10-15 England, 51 minutes
17:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s all a little bit scrappy from Italy in phase play as they look to build from the lineout, hurried offloads and harried passes as England rush up to meet them. A wipers pass out to Tommaso Menoncello from centre partner Juan Ignacio Brex is claimed, just about, but all he can do is toss back into play. Tom Roebuck is driven into touch.
Italy 10-15 England, 49 minutes
17:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleScrum penalty to Italy! That’s more like it from the hosts, staying low and straight and finding the sort of intensity they did against Scotland and Ireland. Joe Heyes creaks under the pressure of Danilo Fischetti and Ellis Genge spins around on the other side.
Italy 10-15 England, 48 minutes
17:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland’s lineout has been better today, but not particularly clean. The statistics say 10 from 10 for Jamie George but again the transfer is disrupted at the front.
Tom Roebuck hares after a Ben Spencer box kick that follows and forces an Italy knock on.
Italy 10-15 England, 46 minutes
17:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland are frustrated when Ben Earl’s call of “mark” is not heard by the referee, with the retreating No 8 doing rather well to claim a chip from Paolo Garbisi on the full. They scramble bodies into the breakdown and clear away via Ben Spencer.
That’s excellent from Maro Itoje - a jackal snaffle from the England captain, allowing them to gain yet more territory through Fin Smith’s long punt.
PENALTY! Italy 10-15 ENGLAND (Fin Smith, 45 minutes)
17:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleFin Smith knocks over the three from the tee to extend England’s advantage.
Italy 10-12 England, 43 minutes
17:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleDown for a scrum skirmish, then...and Italy penalised! They fail to take the weight for a second time in the match and are thus pinged fully by referee Luc Ramos. England will look to take the points.
Italy 10-12 England, 42 minutes
17:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s a good start from the visitors - Lorenzo Pani gets himself in a spot of bother trying to deal with a grubber and is turned over.
Can England capitalise? A quick tap from Ben Spencer and Ellis Genge is sent forward on the carry with a couple of burly blokes for company...has he got there? No, knock on is the call onfield and confirmed by the TMO.
Italy 10-12 England, 41 minutes
17:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly are yet to score a second-half try in this year’s tournament - England will probably back their bench to see this home but this third quarter feels crucial.
Second half...
17:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleLewis Moody is in Rome, the former England captain having a jig in the stands alongside a few family members and fans. The current crop are back out there.
HT: Italy 10-12 England
17:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleA real arm-wrestle, as we might have expected in Rome. England have had more of the possession and territory but have just lacked a few connections to properly crack them open. Their two scores have been very well taken, though, and with their set-piece generally on top, they’ll hope to keep control from here.
Italy have missed too many tackles but scrambled well, and that Tommaso Menoncelllo try showed their threat.
Tommaso Menoncello glides straight through 🤩💪#GuinnessM6N #Since1883 pic.twitter.com/Amcw9N9CPn
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 7, 2026
HALF TIME: Italy 10-12 England
17:31 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Italy 10-12 ENGLAND (Tom Roebuck, 43 minutes)
17:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleStarted by Tom Roebuck, finished by Tom Roebuck!
A score England needed after a lot of toil in this half. They turn over Italy on halfway and transition well, with Roebuck weaving between three would-be tacklers and down into the Italy 22. The hosts are just unable to get hands on breakdown ball a couple of times and are slowly contracted, with England’s forwards sweeping away to the left.
Fin Smith, though, is alert to the fact that they are short on the opposite side, cleverly changing direction and finding Roebuck all alone with a cross-kick. A neat step inside a desperate Monty Ioane and over he goes.
Italy 10-5 England, 39 minutes
17:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleA nasty tumble for Michele Lamaro at the tail of the lineout after Maro Itoje had got in ahead of him to pinch it. The Italy captain looks to be alright, thankfully, having been let go by his lifters.
Italy 10-5 England, 38 minutes
17:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleSloppy again from England. Ben Earl is caught behind the gainline to slow down ruck speed, and Alex Coles is then caught on the hop, too. Simone Ferrari is present as a jackaller, forcing Elliot Daly to go in off his feet. Penalty to Italy.
Italy 10-5 England, 37 minutes
17:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have lost their composure a little. Luc Ramos whistles them for closing the gap at an Italian lineout inside the hosts’ 22.
TRY! ITALY 10-5 England (Tommaso Menoncello, 35 minutes)
17:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn irresistible line from the unstoppable force that is Tommaso Menoncello!
The centre lurks and then injects himself close to a ruck, spotting Joe Heyes with his eyes in at the breakdown. Sam Underhill can’t cover across to help his tighthead out, and Menoncello has a run-up to round Elliot Daly with ease. Some player, the 23-year-old - Italy back in front.
Italy 3-5 England, 34 minutes
17:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland do look a little bit vulnerable when Italy go out the back, particularly on their right edge, with Tom Roebuck caught in no-man’s land a couple of times. Italy begin to get rolling.
Italy 3-5 England, 32 minutes
17:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Englishman deals with a bit of blood, Sam Underhill this time spilling claret. He’s patched up and joins the rest of his forwards at the lineout.
Not for long, though - Ben Earl is penalised for obstruction after sliding in front of Guy Pepper as the lifted catcher comes back down to floor.
Italy 3-5 England, 31 minutes
17:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt feels like England have controlled the pace of so much of this game and are beginning to fatigue the Italian forwards with their eagerness to play. A few tired Azzurri bodies out there, and they’ll therefore be furious with Alessandro Garbisi for hooking a box kick out on the full.
Italy 3-5 England, 29 minutes
17:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Spencer is growing in confidence. A zippy pass hits Seb Atkinson on the run down the right, but the inside centre can’t match that quality, too far in front of Tom Roebuck with the wing all alone on the touchline.
TRY! Italy 3-5 ENGLAND (Tommy Freeman, 27 minutes)
17:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleA lovely England try to break their duck!
England go over the top at the lineout and play out into midfield, getting over the gainline. A lovely tip-on from Joe Heyes and punchy carry from Ben Earl keep momentum rolling, before Ben Spencer goes back against the grain to exploit Italy short of numbers to the right.
Fin Smith puts it in the hands of Alex Coles, who produces a pass his Northampton playmaking teammate would be proud of to another Saint in Tommy Freeman - and the centre completes the job.
Italy 3-0 England, 25 minutes
17:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland get another scrum penalty. Luc Ramos is holding both front rows in position for a long time before the call of “set”, and Danilo Fischetti is deemed to have brought it down when they do finally come together. Harsh, maybe - Joe Heyes looked as much at fault.
Italy 3-0 England, 23 minutes
17:09 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland again appear to get a nudge on at the scrum but referee Luc Ramos commands Ben Spencer to use it, which is fair enough. Seb Atkinson, on Six Nations debut, passes blindly out of the back and can’t quite connect with old Worcester chum Fin Smith - signs, perhaps, of the lack of game time between the pair at Test level.
PENALTY! ITALY 3-0 England (Paolo Garbisi, 21 minutes)
17:07 , Harry Latham-CoylePaolo Garbisi gratefully accepts England’s gift. Italy take the lead.
Italy 0-0 England, 21 minutes
17:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe lineout is on the money but Ben Earl is not - the No 8 is offside, the officials pick up, as he rushes forward to carry in first phase. A relative rarity to see that called - attacking sides often get a lot of leeway at the lineout.
Paolo Garbisi will have a pop at the posts.
Italy 0-0 England, 20 minutes
17:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly have really wrestled back control of this contest after a slow start. England’s fringe defence manages to slow them down after Italy had cracked the visitors on the edge, but Paolo Garbisi wisely skids a skudder of a kick into touch 20 metres from the English line.
90 points at Murrayfield earlier; zilch in the opening quarter here. The duality of the sport.
England are a bit worried about Jamie George, who is getting some attention on his right shoulder before getting ready to throw this pressure lineout. He’ll continue, but one to monitor.
Italy 0-0 England, 18 minutes
17:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleA glimpse of Italy’s threat! England’s’ ruck detail isn’t quite there with Danilo Fischetti, perhaps curiously, allowed in at the side to snatch the ball away from Ben Spencer. Italy flip the field with Monty Ioane’s long legs striding up the left touchline and then kicking on.
Tommy Freeman, not for the first time today, covers excellently. The centre is one of England’s best athletes and really does get across the grass so well.
Italy 0-0 England, 17 minutes
17:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleEllis Genge requires some more running repairs, a bit more strapping over that cut eyebrow.
Italy 0-0 England, 16 minutes
17:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleRoars from the English eight - penalty their way! A long, deep scrum is required after Jamie George doesn’t quite get the hook as he would have liked, but Ellis Genge stays in the fight and eventually forces Simone Ferrari off line. That battle is going be loads of fun today.
Italy 0-0 England, 15 minutes
16:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleA swell of noise in Rome as Italy work left and then right, throwing a few shapes at the English defence. Juan Ignacio Brex’s kick inadvertently finds centre partner Tommaso Menoncello via an English leg, but an attempt to connect again spills forward off the former’s hands. Good scrambling, in the end, from England, and a decent enough defensive set after initially seeming to be struggling in transition.
Italy 0-0 England, 14 minutes
16:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleEllis Genge provides a bit of scrummaging input to referee Luc Ramos, telling the official that he wants space on the engagement, and Italy don’t. We’ll see how Ramos assesses the next set-piece.
For now, Italy throw a lineout, and then go to the air. Louis Lynagh gets the better of ex-Harlequins colleague Cadan Murley.
Italy 0-0 England, 13 minutes
16:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleA hairy moment for Fin Smith, taking much too long over a punted clearance and allowing Lorenzo Cannone to charge him down. Smith just wanted much too much time, and he’s lucky that the ricochet spins to Elliot Daly.
Italy 0-0 England, 12 minutes
16:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleA free kick to England earlier, now one to Italy, as referee Luc Ramos denies us all a look at the contest we’re desperate to see. Too much weight the call, which Jamie George seems baffled by.
Italy 0-0 England, 11 minutes
16:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleEllis Genge has a bit of blood on his head, and requires some strapping. The England prop has a fresh buzzcut for this occasion, and wears a smile as he strides over for a scrum.
England have played with early purpose but remain pointless.
Italy 0-0 England, 10 minutes
16:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly haven’t really had a chance to get going and that’s poor from Paolo Garbisi, kicking curiously straight to Tom Roebuck. Roebuck sends Tommy Freeman into space down the right, and the wing-cum-centre thunders on past Monty Ioane.
Good scrambling from Italy force Freeman towards touch and then turn over Seb Atkinson after he takes his centre partner’s offload.
Italy 0-0 England, 8 minutes
16:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleFamiliar issues for England - a misfire in the red zone. Michele Lamaro, perhaps illegally, gets in before Alex Coles comes to deck having been found at the tail by Jamie George. A fumble before the maul could form, and Italy clear.
Italy 0-0 England, 7 minutes
16:48 , Harry Latham-CoyleZippy stuff from England, a nice offload off the deck from Maro Itoje allowing Fin Smith to continue on. A penalty against Italy in their own 22. What’s England’s decision? Corner! Can they convert?
Italy 0-0 England, 6 minutes
16:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleElliot Daly shakes free of a defender as he is given the ball in space for the first time. Cover comes across so Daly drops boot to ball, asking Cadan Murley to chase. Lorenzo Pani is back in time to ground for a goalline drop out.
Italy 0-0 England, 5 minutes
16:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo strong scrums are denied a first skirmish, with a free kick on engagement called by referee Luc Ramos. Ben Spencer taps quickly and England trap Italy in their left corner with a grubber.
Giacomo Nicotera hits his jumper at the front, but England trap them in again. Alessandro Garbisi clears to touch 25 metres out.
Italy 0-0 England, 3 minutes
16:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleA first chance to really play, then, for England and Seb Atkinson sends Tom Roebuck rushing on down the right. To the air soon enough, though...and another tap-back won by Cadan Murley into the hands of Joe Heyes.
Italy rush up in midfield a phase later and knock the ball on. A strong start from England - simple but effective with their aerial game back in working order.
Italy 0-0 England, 2 minutes
16:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland go aerial soon afterwards, not wishing to work many phases in their own half. Cadan Murley can’t quite get beneath it.
Another high hoists soon comes...and this time Murley snares it. Ben Spencer got that absolutely spot on, allowing his wing to contest without breaking stride.
Italy 0-0 England, 1 minute
16:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleA solid start from Ben Spencer, starting at No 9 today in the absence of Alex Mitchell for England having been omitted entirely against Ireland. Italy fumble his first box kick into touch.
KICK OFF!
16:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleUp and running in Rome.
Anthems
16:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo operatic interpretations of the anthems, which are warmly received. Tricolour fireworks fly as the last notes of “Il Canto degli Italiani” are belted out.
We’ve already had one Six Nations epic today - could we yet have another?
Italy vs England
16:34 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Earl leads England out on the occasion of his 50th cap. A proud moment for a player who made his first 14 international outings from the bench, but now feels such a key figure for his side.
Plenty in at the OIimpico, where it is a little cloudy but warm enough. No threat of the rain that poured when Scotland visited in round one.
Italy vs England
16:32 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland may have thrown the championship wide open but these two are out of the title mix. How will that late Tom Curry injury affect England? Sam Underhill is a very useful replacement to have on hand, and joins clubmate Guy Pepper in a well-grooved partnership on the flanks, but Chandler Cunningham-South is a very different sort of replacement on the bench.
Italy vs England match officials
16:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a Six Nations debut for France’s Luc Ramos this afternoon as he oversees his first fixture as referee in the competition. He had been due to have the experienced Nic Berry on hand as an assistant, but the Australian has been unable to travel due to the situation in the Middle East - Sam Grove-White has stepped in.
Referee: Luc Ramos (Fra)
ARs: Pierre Brousset (Fra) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
FPRO: Ben Whitehouse (Wal)
Tom Curry ruled out
16:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have been dealt a major late injury blow ahead of their Six Nations clash against Italy after Tom Curry was helped off during the warm-up.
Two medics had to guide the flanker down the tunnel after he appeared to suffer a leg issue while preparing to start on the openside in Rome.
Sam Underhill has been promoted off the bench into the starting XV as a like-for-like replacement, with Chandler Cunningham-South joining the replacements with Steve Borthwick keeping six forwards on the bench.
England forced into late change against Italy after Tom Curry injured in warm-up
Battle of the breakdown
16:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick sought to spotlight Manuel Zuliani earlier in the week, with the Italian openside one of the very best over the ball in the competition. England haven’t got their ruck detail right at all in either defence or attack in the last two weeks - keeping Zuliani and the other jackal threats in the Italian side at bay will be key to addressing the turnover issues that plagued them against Ireland.
There are reports from Rome that Tom Curry may have suffered an injury in the warm-up - we’ll let you know if/when a change becomes official.
Seismic scrum battle
16:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is a meeting of the two best scrums in the competition. England are winning 28.6 per cent of scrums on opposition ball and 100 per cent on their own, with Italy’s equivalent numbers 19.1 per cent and 94.4 per cent. Something has to give, you’d think - we’ve seen a few tightheads get at Danilo Fischetti in Europe this year, with Bordeaux Begles’ Carlu Sadie giving him a tough time in the Champions Cup, but he’s been excellent so far in this Six Nations. His tussle with Joe Heyes on that side of the scrum could be very fun.
Meet Seb Atkinson, England’s new Six Nations centre and perhaps the fittest man in rugby
15:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere’s a new man at No 12 for England today, with Seb Atkinson looking to pick up where he left off in Argentina on the summer tour last year. I went to meet him at Twickenham last Sunday:
Meet Seb Atkinson, England’s new Six Nations centre and the fittest man in rugby?
Team news - England
15:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick rips up his England selection in a heavily-changed 23 as he seeks a response to England’s poor performance against Ireland. Fin Smith is installed at No 10 in a totally changed backline, with Tommy Freeman moved back into midfield alongside Seb Atkinson, who makes his first Six Nations appearance.
Up front, Jamie George replaces Luke Cowan-Dickie at hooker and Alex Coles is preferred to Ollie Chessum in the second row. The return of Guy Pepper to the blindside sees Tom Curry and Ben Earl slide to the openside and No 8 respectively.
England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Joe Heyes; 4 Maro Itoje (capt.), 5 Alex Coles; 6 Guy Pepper, 7 Tom Curry, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Ben Spencer, 10 Fin Smith; 11 Cadan Murley, 12 Seb Atkinson, 13 Tommy Freeman, 14 Tom Roebuck; 15 Elliot Daly.
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Bevan Rodd, 18 Trevor Davison, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Henry Pollock; 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
Team news - Italy
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly welcome back Juan Ignacio Brex to re-form his potent centre partnership with human battering ram Tommaso Menoncello after Brex missed the previous two matches due to personal reasons.
Alessandro Garbisi joins brother Paolo in a half-back partnership, Lorenzo Pani steps in for the injured Ange Capuozzo at full back and the pack is unchanged from the starting eight that faced France a fortnight ago. Fly half/full-back Tommaso Allan is fit again and is one of three backs named on the bench.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Michele Lamaro (capt.), 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Lorenzo Pani.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto; 21 Alessandro Fusco, 22 Leonardo Marin, 23 Tommaso Allan.
Michele Lamaro says win over England would prove Italy as a force
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleMichele Lamaro views the Six Nations clash with England at the Stadio Olimpico as the stage for Italy to prove they have become a force in the game.
Scotland were dispatched in Rome in round one and Ireland just escaped with a victory when the Azzurri visited Dublin a week later.
Only a 33-8 defeat by grand slam-chasing France a fortnight ago has marred an otherwise promising Championship.
Italy have never beaten England in 32 previous meetings but Lamaro insists that must be the goal to validate the strides made.
"If you want to get to the point where you believe you can be competitive against the best teams in the world, you have to start winning against those teams at some point," the Azzurri captain said.
"I'm thinking of Argentina, for example - their improvement in the last couple of years was seen in the away game against the All Blacks when they won for the first time.
"England is the closest challenge we've got because we play them next, so I think it's a first step. If you want to be in the top five you have to be able to win these games.
"But it's not because it's England, it's because if you want to really compare yourself to the bigger teams you have to start beating them.
"We've come to the point where we want to be very competitive in the whole tournament. We know we have the confidence to say that if we play our best game we can put England under pressure, and sometimes we can score tries from that.
"But at the same time we know we have to be at 100 per cent in most areas of the game because these teams are pretty ruthless."
Is rugby any closer to answering the complex brain injury question?
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe question that lurks behind all of the talk about rugby’s future regards its safety. How much progress is being made? What is the latest with the legal case? And how can we help players struggling with life after sport? In this special report, we dig deep into the issue:
Is rugby any closer to answering the complex brain injury question?
World Rugby responds to questions over future of scrums and bid to make sport ‘quicker and simpler’ for fans
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleWorld Rugby, meanwhile, is pressing ahead with its own plans for the future, which include making the game “quicker and simpler” without detracting from that which makes the sport different to others.
How World Rugby is planning to make sport ‘quicker and simpler’
English rugby set for radical change as Prem ring-fencing and expansion plans approved
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’ll be back to the build-up to today’s game in a moment, but there was some pretty major news last week for English rugby as promotion and relegation was ended in the Prem to move to a new franchising model. Here’s the full story:
English rugby set for radical change as Prem ring-fencing approved
Elliot Daly knows England’s revamped backline must hit ground running in Italy
14:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleElliot Daly admits England’s revamped backline must hit the ground running against Italy in Rome.
Head coach Steve Borthwick has responded to the conclusive losses against Scotland and Ireland that brought an end to England’s Guinness Six Nations title hopes by making an unprecedented 12 changes, three of them positional.
The radical selection fired a warning shot to the squad that recent performances have fallen below the required standard.
Elliot Daly knows England’s revamped backline must hit ground running in Italy
England raring to go for ‘toughest test they have ever had against Italy’
14:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleJamie George has roared “bring it on” as he braces England for the greatest threat yet to their unbeaten record against Italy.
Steve Borthwick’s side stagger into Rome determined to rebuild after chastening defeats by Scotland and Ireland left their Guinness Six Nations title ambitions in ruins.
Traditionally clashes with Italy have been routine assignments having won all 32 previous encounters in a fixture that began in 1991.
But Italy are transformed from the team that once slumped to a 36-game losing run in the Six Nations.
And armed with a fearsome pack, a cutting edge in attack and a sprinkling of world-class talent, they have never been better equipped to claim a famous win.
England raring to go for ‘toughest test they have ever had against Italy’
Monty Ioane sets sights on first Italian win over England
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly wing Monty Ioane believes his side have a good opportunity to finally beat Engalnd, though he insists the visitors will be far from an easy target despite recent poor performances.
England are the only Six Nations side Italy have yet to beat, losing all 32 previous meetings between the teams in all competitions, but there is a feeling today’s game could be Italy's best chance to end that run.
Steve Borthwick's England arrive in Rome on the back of defeats by Scotland and Ireland, with the coach making nine changes to his starting side against Italy.
"We can't take away from the team that they are because we know what they can bring, especially with the squad they've put out," Ioane said.
"They've completely changed the whole back line, so obviously they're here to bring something. And although they lost heavily against Ireland, it doesn't mean it's going to be an easy target for us
"The good thing about this game for us is, although we know there's a huge challenge, it’s a good opportunity for us to hopefully get this win."
England turn to Olympic skeleton star Matt Weston in bid to stop Six Nations slide
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleEngland have been drawing on the advice of double Olympic gold medallist Matt Weston as they look to arrest their Six Nations slide against Italy.
Skeleton star Weston made history for Team GB in Milan-Cortina as he triumphed in both the individual and mixed team events to become the first British athlete to win two gold medals at a single Winter Olympics.
Also the reigning world and European champion, Weston celebrated his 29th birthday on Monday with a visit to England’s Pennyhill Park training base to impart some of his winning wisdom on a side reeling from back-to-back defeats to Scotland and Ireland.
England turn to Olympic skeleton star Matt Weston in bid to stop Six Nations slide
Ben Earl admits England have ‘laid it bare’ in bid to spark Six Nations turnaround
14:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleBen Earl has admitted that England have “laid it bare” with the squad confronting a few tough truths in the wake of their Six Nations defeat to Ireland as they search for a reaction against Italy.
England’s title hopes were all but ended by a second consecutive defeat as the visitors won 42-21 at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium last weekend.
Steve Borthwick’s squad reassembled briefly last week to review the game and Earl revealed that a number of members of the squad admitted they had not reached the levels required against Scotland and Ireland.
Ben Earl admits England have ‘laid it bare’ in bid to spark Six Nations turnaround
The lessons England must learn to restore Six Nations hope against Italy
14:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleSteve Borthwick is not under any real pressure for his job, but a first-ever defeat to Italy might just change the conversation. And the England squad know they owe themselves, the public and their head coach a performance:
The lessons England must learn to restore Six Nations hope against Italy
Italy boosted by return of key figure for Six Nations clash with England
13:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly’s selection was rather more settled, albeit with one pretty major returnee - it’s great to see Juan Ignacio Brex back amongst things after a couple of weeks away for personal reasons:
Italy boosted by return of key figure for Six Nations clash with England
What England’s radical selection against Italy says about their Six Nations campaign
13:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat to read into Steve Borthwick’s new-look England team? Perhaps a little, perhaps a lot:
What England’s radical selection against Italy says about their Six Nations campaign
Steve Borthwick rips up England side to face Italy as Fin Smith starts at fly-half
13:30 , Harry Latham-CoylePerhaps it was natural that Steve Borthwick would react drastically to two such striking defeats, but there was still a sense of surprise when the England head coach revealed his selection on Tuesday:
Steve Borthwick rips up England side to face Italy as Fin Smith starts at fly-half
Italy vs England live
Friday 6 March 2026 15:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleTo Rome, for the final match of the penultimate round of the 2026 Six Nations, and a meeting between Italy and England perhaps more intriguing than ever before. With the visitors reeling after back-to-back defeats that have derailed their campaign, the Azzurri may just be smelling blood as they seek a first-ever success over their opponents.
Can England bounce back? Can Italy make history? Kick off is at 4.40pm GMT.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
