England have an opportunity to get their Six Nations campaign back on track as they jet off to Rome on Saturday.
The tournament started positively for Steve Borthwick’s men, who trounced Wales in front of a buoyant crowd at Twickenham in week one, but their fortunes have since taken a distinct turn for the worse.
What followed was a pair of humiliating defeats by Scotland and Ireland, which have left the Red Rose reeling and in dire need of a pick-me-up. Whether Borthwick’s 12 changes to the squad bring that uptick in fortunes remains to be seen.
In years gone by, Italy might have been considered a presentable chance to get back to form, but gone are the days when the Azzurri would be sent packing with a wooden spoon every year - this will be a serious Test for England.
Italy stunned Scotland on home turf in week one, but have since suffered a narrow defeat by Ireland and a rather more one-sided loss to France.
They will take heart, too, from having run Ireland close on matchday two, and will hope to repay the faith of the home support with another memorable win here.
For England, it is do or die. With a win, they could still end this forgettable campaign in a respectable fashion, but defeat will leave them languishing in the depths of the table.
Here’s everything you need to know about the match...
Italy vs England date, kick-off time and venue
Italy vs England takes place on Saturday March 7, 2026, at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico.
Kick-off is scheduled for 4.40pm GMT.
How to watch Italy vs England
TV channel: In the UK, Italy vs England is being shown live and free to air on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 3.35pm GMT ahead of a 4.40pm kick-off.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the ITVX website and app, which is available to those with a valid TV license.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog!
Italy vs England team news
Following a dismal performance in defeat by Ireland, Borthwick has decided to burn it all down and start fresh. He has made 12 changes to his England team to face Italy - nine personnel and three positional.
It is the most changes ever made by an England coach between two tests. Only captain Maro Itoje, Ellis Genge and Joe Heyes keep their places.
Henry Pollock is dropped to the bench after making his full Test debut last time out, with Ben Earl replacing him to complete a half-century of caps.
Luke Cowan-Dickie is unseated by Jamie George and Ollie Chessum by Alex Coles, with Tom Curry rotating from open-side flanker to blind as a means of accomodating Guy Pepper’s renaissance.
And there has been a comprehensive shakeup in the backs, too, with only Tommy Freeman keeping his place in the XV. He moves from wing to outside centre, where he will be partnered by Six Nations debutant Seb Atkinson.
Ben Spencer and Fin Smith will wear shirt numbers nine and ten, respectively, with a back three of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck and Elliot Daly.
Borthwick has left some big names out of the side, too, with none of Fraser Dingwall, Henry Arundell, Freddie Steward or George Ford cracking the 23-man matchday squad.
While Gonzalo Quesada is yet to confirm his starting lineup to face Engand, he has named his training squad for the build-up to the match - and it features four returnees.
Chief among them is Juan Ignacio Brex, who has been absent from the camp since the defeat of Scotland for personal reasons.
Also called back up are Tommaso Allan, Gianmarco Lucchesi and Stephen Varney, while Ange Capuozzo and Martin Page-Relo are recalled despite not being fully fit.
Quesada said: "Some of [my players] currently don't have the pace to play 80 minutes in an international match, but it's important for us to see them back in the group, especially considering some injuries in the squad, such as Capuozzo and Page-Relo, who hasn't fully recovered.
“These are players with great experience, and bringing them back to the national team environment is an opportunity we wanted to seize ahead of the second half of the tournament.”
Italy vs England lineups
Italy XV: TBC (Announcement expected later this week)
England XV: Daly, Roebuck, Freeman, Atkinson, Murley, Smith, Spencer, Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje, Coles, Pepper, Curry, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Chessum, Underhill, Pollock, Van Poortvliet, Smith
Italy vs England head to head (h2h) history and results
Italy are the only team in the Six Nations never to have beat England. Last year’s meeting ended 47-24 in favour of the Red Rose at Twickenham.
Italy wins: 0
England wins: 32
Draws: 0
Italy vs England prediction
England’s Six Nations campaign hinges on this match, and Borthwick will hope that his selection gamble pays off against this rejuvenated Italy side.
The much-changed side can only be a positive after such a dour performance against Ireland, but with so much rotation and some of the squad’s most experienced players left out, one wonders Borthwick has overplayed his hand.
Italy, granted, are the second-weakest team in this competition, but they have shown their ability to match the quality of both Scotland and Ireland for long stretches.
There is little to suggest Italy cannot do the same against England - but it will be a close match.
Italy to win by 5 points.
Italy vs England match odds
Italy to win: 12/5
England to win: 4/11
Draw: 20/1
Odds via BetFair (Subject to change)
