England defeat Italy in Six Nations
England scored six tries en route to a 41-18 win over Italy at Twickenham in the second round of the Guinness Six Nations.
Italy struck inside the opening four minutes, given quick front-foot ball, they spread it to the left flank where Montanna Ioane found space to surge over in the corner. Fly half Paolo Garbisi was unable to convert the try.
But captain Owen Farrell quickly reduced the deficit to two points with an easy penalty in front of the sticks, before Jonny Hill crashed over from close range on the 14-minute mark for his first Test try.
Garbisi levelled the match at 8-8 converting a straightforward penalty, before the hosts scored a second as Anthony Watson danced through the Azzurri defence to run in unopposed under the posts.
As half time approached Italy enjoyed phases of threatening attack deep inside England territory, but each carry was met with stubborn defence, and their promising position was eventually thwarted.
Eddie Jones’ men bagged their third try in the final play of the half, as Jonny May showcased incredible acrobatic prowess to leap over the covering tackle of Luca Sperandio and dot down in the corner making it 20-8.
The score marked May’s 32nd Test try, moving him above Will Greenwood and Ben Cohen to second spot on England’s top try scorers list.
A clever cross-field kick from Garbisi to Ioane brought immediate life to the second half as the winger collected it and cantered 60 metres before being brought down by Farrell. The resulting ruck saw a penalty go Italy’s way, and Garbisi was on hand to convert.
Italy continued to build on their early second half dominance, stringing smart passes together inside England’s 22, but Watson shifted that momentum by intercepting one of them and running it in for his second try, securing England a bonus-point in doing so.
Jones began to unload his finishers in the final quarter of the match, and they had an immediate impact. Scrum half Dan Robson, opting for a tap-and-go, jinked out of tackles and all the way to the Italian line before Jack Willis - only on the field a matter of seconds - powered over from close range. Farrell's conversion made it 34-11.
Unfortunately Willis was forced to leave the field moments later, after a dangerous clear out saw him unable to continue. Italy scored on the resumption of the game via Tommaso Allan - who converted his own try.
But England hit back, Elliot Daly on hand to score England's sixth and simplest try. Farrell's extras made it 41-18 at full-time, extending their winning record against Italy in the Six Nations to 22 games.
Reaction
It was a step in the right direction, our intent was a lot better today especially up front, we probably didn't get the rewards we wanted but in terms of the intent and showing how much it means to play for our country it was a step in the right direction."
Sinckler post match
It's not a perfect performance, but in terms of the feeling, the energy and intensity it felt back to us. I thought we attacked the game. Our intent was brilliant, we moved the ball and got in behind them, not everything went our way but we stuck at it."
Farrell post match
Teams
England
15. Elliot Daly, 14. Anthony Watson, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Owen Farrell (C), 11. Jonny May, 10. George Ford, 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Mako Vunipola, 2. Luke Cowan-Dickie, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Tom Curry, 8. Billy Vunipola.
Finishers
16. Jamie George, 17. Ellis Genge, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Jack Willis,
22. Dan Robson, 23. Max Malins.
Italy
15. Jacopo Trulla, 14. Luca Sperandio, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 12. Carlo Canna, 11. Montanna Ioane, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 9. Stephen Varney, 1. Andrea Lovotti, 2. Luca Bigi (C), 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Marco Lazzaroni, 5. David Sisi, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7 Johan Meyer, 8. Michele Lamaro.
Replacements
16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Danilo Fischetti, 18. Giosuè Zilocchi, 19. Niccolò Cannone, 20. Federico Ruzza, 21. Guglielmo Palazzani, 22. Tommaso Allan, 23. Federico Mori.
Fixtures & results
6 Feb - England 6-11 Scotland
13 Feb - England 41-18 Italy
27 Feb - Wales v England | 4.45pm KO
13 March - England v France | 4.45pm KO
20 March - Ireland v England | 4.45pm KO
