Six weeks ago, England would have gladly accepted their current position, still in contention for the Six Nations title. France may now be the frontrunners for the trophy, but three consecutive home wins with a total of 12 tries have showcased real improvement after a frustrating winter.
This seven-try victory against Italy on a sunny Sunday afternoon might not have been remarkable in isolation, but within the team, it serves as proof of progress. Another bonus-point win against Wales in Cardiff will be required to keep the pressure on France when they face Scotland in Paris. This match marked the first time in 32 Tests under Steve Borthwick that England surpassed 40 points against a tier-one opponent.
England also demonstrated resilience after losing Ollie Lawrence to an achilles injury just eight minutes into the game. Fin Smith provided a composed performance at fly-half, while Ollie Sleightholme delivered a sharp attacking display, scoring two tries. Ollie Chessum stood out as the player of the match, while Marcus Smith made a strong impact off the bench, scoring a try and contributing effectively in open play. Fin Smith’s increasing influence at No. 10 and the growing presence of Northampton players in the backline have helped England’s cohesion.
Following the scrappy win against Scotland, England embraced a more positive approach. Gone was the relentless box-kicking, replaced by a more expansive style. The warm weather contributed to an entertaining contest, with Jamie George leading the team on his 100th cap.
The match started with a costly mistake from Italy’s scrum-half Stephen Varney, allowing England to counter swiftly. Tom Willis stretched out to score after a 70-metre break. However, Italy responded well. Monty Ioane’s clever chip set up Ange Capuozzo for a well-taken try. Had Paolo Garbisi converted a penalty, Italy would have taken the lead. England quickly regained momentum, with Elliot Daly’s accurate grubber kick setting up Tommy Freeman for a try in the right corner.
Italy struck back when Capuozzo evaded George in midfield and found Ross Vintcent, who sprinted clear for a fine try. But defensive lapses cost Italy, and England capitalized. With an advantage being played, they shifted the ball left, allowing Sleightholme to score in the corner. A Garbisi penalty reduced the half-time margin to four points, but England looked poised to take control.
Italy had an early opportunity in the second half but failed to convert. England punished them swiftly. Will Stuart’s footwork and Tom Curry’s offload sent Marcus Smith over for a try, and minutes later, Curry added his own, putting England in command.
From there, the only question was how many points England would rack up. Jamie George set up Sleightholme for his second try of the game, taking his tally to six in eight Tests. Fin Smith slotted another composed conversion. Tommaso Menoncello scored a late consolation try for Italy, but Ben Earl’s last-minute try sealed a comprehensive victory for England.
