Famous Fixtures: England v Italy
Ahead of England's second round Six Nations meet with Italy, we take a look at famous fixtures between the sides.
2017: England 36 - 15 Italy
Controversy shrouded the first half of this Anglo-Italian clash at Twickenham, in a Test eventually won by England 36-15.
Italy implemented a no ruck tactic that caused confusion on the pitch and around the stadium, giving the home side headaches in the first half. That, along with a Giovanbattista Venditti try and points from the boot of Tommaso Allan saw Conor O’Shea’s men to go in at the break with a 10-5 lead.
But two quick second half tries from Danny Care and Elliot Daly put England back in the ascendancy, and although Michele Campagnaro's score brought it close, a Ben Te'o try, and then two from replacement Jack Nowell saw England run out victors. The win acted as their tenth successive in the Six Nations, and extend their winning streak to 17 matches.
2011: England 59 - 13 Italy
Chris Ashton became the first England player to score four tries in a Six Nations match since 1914 as Martin Johnson’s side beat Italy 59-13 at Twickenham.
Ashton bagged the first after just three minutes, supporting the break of Toby Flood to canter under the sticks unopposed, with his trademark swallow dive. His second and third were close range scores, one off the shoulder of Shontayne Hape, and the other a pick-and-go after a strong Matt Banahan carry.
Banahan then provided Ashton’s fourth, set loose on an arcing run from inside his own half, he unleashed Ashton on an inside line to go over in the 75th minute. He was joined on the try sheet by Mark Cueto, Mike Tindall, Danny Care and James Haskell, whilst Flood contributed 13 points, and Jonny Wilkinson six.
2008: Italy 19 - 23 England
Jonny Wilkinson became the first England Men's player to pass 1000 Test points in Rome, as his side fought to a 19-23 victory, their narrowest over Italy.
The talisman fly-half was the catalyst behind England's first try, as he delicately placed a chip over the Italian defence before collecting his own kick, and offloading into the path of Paul Sackey who went over.
Wilkinson converted that effort, set up and converted the try of Toby Flood, and notched up two penalties as England raced to a 20-6 half-time lead, but a second half fightback would give England fans a scare.
Azzuri full-back David Bortolussi notched up eight points from the boot, and substitute scrum-half Simon Picone scored a late try to set up a tense finish, but England held on.
2004: Italy 9 - 50 England
In their first game since being crowed World Champions, England lived up to the title, with a comprehensive 9-50 win over Italy in Rome.
Jason Robinson’s hat-trick was the stand out performance as Clive Woodward’s men racked up seven tries in total for their Six Nations campaign opener. Iain Balshaw, Josh Lewsey, Chris Jones and Paul Grayson also crossed the whitewash, with the latter contributing 15 points from the boot. The Azzuri fought hard, but could only manage nine points through Rima Wakarua: two penalties and a drop goal.
2001: England 80 - 23 Italy
Jason Robinson made his Test debut off the bench in England’s 80-23 win over Italy at Twickenham.
Italy played the first half with real intent and two tries, courtesy of Denis Dallan and Carlo Checchinato, as well as 13 points from the boot of Andrea Scanavacca saw the visitors trail England 33-23 at the break.
An Austin Healey double and Iain Balshaw effort had already been scored in that first period, and further tries from Ben Cohen, Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood, Mark Regan, Joe Worsley, Jonny Wilkinson and another from Balshaw sealed the win.
