England v Italy: preview, teams and stats
The preview, stats and landmarks ahead of England's games against Italy in the final round of the Six Nations.
On Saturday, Eddie Jones' England side are the second of three games on 'Super Saturday' in the final round of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations knowing they are still in with a chance of winning the title.
Exeter's double-winning lock Jonny Hill will make his debut while hooker Tom Dunn and backs Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley are set for their debuts from the bench. Ben Youngs will reach a century of England caps this weekend while Jamie George will play for the 50th time. Italy have lost their last 26 Six Nations matches, a run stretching back five years and will finish bottom again this year.
The Red Roses also have a debutant in second row as Morwenna Talling starts with Helena Rowland primed to come off the bench for her first senior appearance. Abbie Ward and Marlie Packer are set for their first appearances in just under a year.
Ellie Kildunne makes her first international XVs appearance since the 33-11 win over Ireland in the 2018 Women’s Six Nations.
Italy v England Men
- When? Saturday, 31 October
- Kick-off? 16:45 GMT
- Where? Stadio Olympico, Rome
- Coverage? Live on ITV 1, BBC Radio 5 live, match centre on EnglandRugby.com
Italy v Red Roses
- When? Sunday, 1 November
- Kick-off? 17:00 GMT
- Where? Stadio Sergio Lanfranch, Parma
- Coverage? Live on Sky Sports Arena, Sky Sports YouTube
How England win
The Red Roses are already crowned champions and a win will secure a record 15th Grand Slam.
For England Men:
- If Ireland beat France by a bonus-point - IRELAND CHAMPIONS
- If Ireland beat France and England beat Italy with a bonus-point - POINTS DIFFERENCE (Ireland are currently +23 better off than England)
- If France and Ireland draw and England win - ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
- If France beat Ireland and England beat Italy - POINTS DIFFERENCE (England are currently +2 better off than France)
- If France beat Ireland and England beat Italy with a bonus-point - ENGLAND CHAMPIONS
Views from the camp
England head coach Eddie Jones: “We’ve trained with good intensity this week and the squad are excited by the challenge of performing at our best against Italy.
“The team have prepared well and are looking forward to putting on an England shirt and showing what they can do.
“We will also celebrate two major achievements in Ben Youngs and Jamie George’s cap milestones. It’s testimony to their skill, hard work and love of playing for England, and there is more to come from both of them.”
Red Roses head coach Simon Middleton: “After a tough year for everyone, we’re grateful to be preparing for international rugby again and targeting a Grand Slam.
“While we’re understandably disappointed for Mo [Natasha Hunt], the health and safety of all players and staff members is paramount. The situation has been handled very well by our medical staff. All training session and training venue footage was reviewed to establish any close contacts and players were interviewed. Fortunately, no-one else needed to isolate.
“Earning a first cap is always a special moment. Morwenna Talling has excelled in training and club matches and we feel thoroughly deserves her opportunity.
“Despite a number of injuries, we have real depth to our squad. We’re all pleased to see Harriet Millar-Mills back playing regularly after lengthy injury lay-offs and know the quality the likes of Alex Matthews and Helena Rowland bring."
Previous meetings
Men
2014 - Italy 11-52 England, Stadio Olimpico
2015 - England 47-17 Italy, Twickenham Stadium
2016 - Italy 9-40 England, Stadio Olimpico
2017 - England 36-15 Italy, Twickenham Stadium
2018 - Italy 15-46 England, Stadio Olimpico
2019 - England 57-14 Italy, St James' Park
Women
2016 - Italy 24-33 England, Stadio Gino Pistoni
2017 - England 29-15 Italy, Twickenham Stoop
2017 - England 56-13 Italy, Billings Park UCD
2018 - Italy 7-42 England, Stadio Mirabello
2019 - England 55-0 Italy, Sandy Park
2019 - England 60-3 Italy, Goldington Road
Key stats
- England Men have won all 26 of their matches against Italy, including 20 meetings in the Six Nations, England are the only side the Italians have failed to beat since joining the Championship in 2000.
- In 20 meetings with Italy, England Women have won all 20 times since their first clash at the 1991 Women's Rugby World Cup
- Italy Men have lost each of their 26 games in the Six Nations since beating Scotland in 2015, the longest losing run by any side in Five/Six Nations history; only on two occasions in that spell have Italy lost by a single figure margin (v France 2016, v Scotland 2018).
- Italy Women finished second in the Six Nations last season, their best ever finish in the tournament since they joined in 2007
- England Men have scored 4+ tries in each of their last six Six Nations matches against Italy, with an average winning margin of 33 points across those six victories.
- In their last three games against Italy the Red Roses have scored over 150 points, with Italy crossing for just one try during those meetings
- England Men are aiming to win a seventh Six Nations title if results go their way, no other team has more than five overall triumphs in the Championship since it was extended to six teams in 2000.
Player landmarks
- Ben Youngs is in line to win his 100th cap for England in this match, he would be just the second men's player to achieve this feat for England after Jason Leonard (114); Jamie George meanwhile could notch up a 50th appearance for England if he features.
- Katy Daley-Mclean will earn her 115th cap for England going joint third on the all-time caps list with Tamara Taylor and behind Rocky Clark and Sarah Hunter
- Jonny May has 29 tries for England, a 30th would take him level with Jeremy Guscott in fourth place on England’s all-time try scoring list, one behind Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood (both 31, Rory Underwood 49); he’s only scored once in six previous games against Italy however.
- Morwenna Talling and Helena Rowland are set to make their senior England debuts for the Red Roses in Parma this weekend
Teams
ENGLAND MEN XV
15. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
14. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 43 caps)
13. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 50 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 29 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 56 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 83 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 99 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 59 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 49 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 35 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 38 caps)
5. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 23 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 51 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Tom Dunn, (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 18 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 3 caps)
19. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 3 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 2 caps)
22. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, uncapped)
23. Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
RED ROSES XV
15. Ellie Kildunne (Wasps FC Ladies, 8 caps)
14. Jess Breach (Harlequins Women, 13 caps)
13. Emily Scarratt (C; Loughborough Lightning, 89 caps)
12. Amber Reed (Bristol Bears Women, 57 caps)
11. Abby Dow (Wasps FC Ladies, 12 caps)
10. Katy Daley-Mclean (Sale Sharks Women, 114 caps)
9. Claudia MacDonald (Wasps FC Ladies, 9 caps)
1. Vickii Cornborough (Harlequins Women, 53 caps)
2. Lark Davies (Loughborough Lightning, 25 caps)
3. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 35 caps)
4. Abbie Ward (Harlequins Women, 42 caps)
5. Morwenna Talling (Loughborough Lightning, 0 caps)
6. Poppy Cleall (Saracens Women, 40 caps)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 71 caps)
8. Sarah Beckett (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Amy Cokayne (Harlequins Women, 50 caps)
17. Detysha Harper (Loughborough Lightning, 1 cap)
18. Shaunagh Brown (Harlequins Women, 17 caps)
19. Harriet Millar-Mills (Wasps FC Ladies, 55 caps)
20. Alex Matthews (Worcester Warriors Women, 37 caps)
21. Leanne Riley (Harlequins Women, 37 caps)
22. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 0 caps)
23. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 24 caps)
