England Survives Major Scare To Beat Italy 27-24 In Rome In Six Nations Opener – News18

ROME: England survived a serious scare by Italy to win their Six Nations opener 27-24 on the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

The Azzurri needed to console themselves with outscoring England three tries to 2, posting their most factors ever in opposition to England, and shedding by the narrowest margin ever.

“We’re growing, but we’re tired of always coming close to the win,” Italy captain Michele Lamaro mentioned.

England ran its unbeaten file in opposition to Italy to 31 straight matches but it surely didn’t take the lead till the forty fifth minute and held on.

“It looked clunky in bits,” England coach Steve Borthwick instructed broadcaster ITV. “It looked like a team which only had three training sessions together.

“We got exposed by an Italian team that moves the ball well. But a winning start with five debutants and the ability to be in a difficult position and find your way out of it is a massive positive.”

New Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada’s reign acquired off to a promising begin because the Azzurri raced 10-0 forward. Italy led at halftime 17-14, however England dominated territory within the second half and added 10 factors to maneuver in entrance 27-17 with out kicking on.

Italy earned a deserved shedding bonus level within the eighty fifth minute when winger Monty Ioane busted previous a few defenders and scored a transformed attempt.

England beneath new captain Jamie George acquired a gap win for the primary time since 2019 and debuted 5 gamers — their most in a single recreation in 12 years — together with starters Fraser Dingwall and flanker Ethan Roots, who was named man of the match.

Their territorial benefit was rewarded by flyhalf George Ford, who kicked 5 penalties and a conversion to tries by Elliot Daly and Alex Mitchell.

Tommaso Allan turned Italy’s main attempt-scorer and level-scorer in Six Nations historical past together with his personal transformed attempt within the first half, and stunned when he missed his solely objective try within the second half. That was his first missed goalkick since August.

Allan acquired the scoreboard rolling within the fifth minute with a penalty, his twentieth successive goalkick.

England’s rush protection wasn’t good and Italy pounced. Center Juan Ignacio Brex broke and No. 8 Niccolò Cannone roared down the center to ship scrumhalf Alessandro Garbisi to the posts. Allan’s extras had Italy 10-0 up and the Stadio Olimpico crowd roaring in delight.

England’s first enterprise into Italy’s 22 within the 14th minute netted a Ford penalty off the publish. Four minutes later, a robust carry by Roots was completed by Tommy Freeman coming far off his proper wing to present Daly a transparent run to the left nook.

The Azzurri caught England’s protection too slender. Flyhalf Paolo Garbisi doubled spherical Brex and Allan performed a one-two with Tommaso Menoncello for a superb attempt from their very own half. His eighth attempt made Allan Italy’s main attempt-scorer within the match. His conversion despatched him previous Diego Dominguez as Italy’s high level-scorer within the competitors.

But two extra Ford penalties lower Italy’s result in three. Still, Italy led England at halftime for the primary time in seven years.

England took management within the second half. Mitchell’s solo attempt by way of poor protection within the forty fifth gave the guests the lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

Ford transformed and added two extra penalties earlier than he was changed by newcomer Fin Smith.

In between, Allan missed a goalkick after making 22 straight.

The tempo of the match slowed from errors and penalties. England completed with 14 males when Daly was yellow-carded for tripping Menoncello however Italy additionally completed with 14 after captain Lamaro was sin-binned for collapsing a maul.

“We played a good first half,” Lamaro mentioned. “It was that 20 minutes into the second half when we struggled to get out of our half. It’s not good enough honestly.”

England is at residence to Wales subsequent weekend, whereas Italy goes to title favourite Ireland.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)