England remain in contention for the Six Nations title after securing a bonus-point victory over Italy, but their triumph was overshadowed by a serious injury to Ollie Lawrence. The Bath centre suffered a suspected Achilles injury just nine minutes into the match, casting doubt over his chances of touring Australia with the British & Irish Lions later this year.
England dominated the contest after a tight first half, running in seven tries to comfortably dispatch the Italians in sunny conditions in south-west London. Fly-half Fin Smith orchestrated England’s attack with precision, showcasing his playmaking ability. However, the sight of Lawrence going down early in the match was a major concern.
Head coach Steve Borthwick acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the injury, stating that further assessments in the coming days would provide clarity. “We’ll know more in the next 48 hours when he has scans and sees a specialist,” he said. “Fingers crossed it’s not as severe as we fear. He’ll get the very best care and see the very best people.”
Fin Smith, who previously played alongside Lawrence at Worcester Warriors, was visibly shaken by the injury. “When you see one of your best mates potentially losing the chance to go on a Lions tour, it breaks your heart,” he said. “I was probably a bit too gutted on the pitch, seeing that happen. It maybe rattled me for a few minutes. We’re all absolutely devastated for him. I’ve got everything crossed that the scans say it’s not too bad, but it’s not looking brilliant.”
Smith emphasized Lawrence’s importance to both club and country, describing his influence in Bath’s resurgence and his growing role within the national team. “He has been a massive part of Bath and pushing them forward, and a massive part of this England team. We’ve got to be good friends to him now because it is going to be a tough time.”
England now turn their focus to a crucial encounter against Wales in Cardiff. A victory at the Principality Stadium would keep their title hopes alive, particularly with France missing key playmaker Antoine Dupont, who suffered a serious knee ligament injury against Ireland.
Maro Itoje, England’s captain, acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing the upcoming fixture as a major test. “Wales, Cardiff, the Principality [Stadium] is a tough place to go. I’ve been fortunate enough to play there numerous times and I know exactly how difficult it is. Wales v England is a humongous fixture, so I know all of Wales will be crammed into the Principality. It’s a challenge we’re very much looking forward to.”
Meanwhile, Italy’s head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s response following their heavy defeat to France in the previous round. “I was proud of how the team went back to work, without looking for excuses, taking responsibility with a lot of accountability,” he said. “The first half showed more or less what we prepared.”
Despite their struggles, Italy showed resilience in patches against England, particularly in the first half. However, England’s superior depth and quality eventually proved too much as they pulled away in the second half.
With just one match left in the tournament, England’s fate could depend on the results of their rivals. While they will be confident heading into the Wales clash, the loss of Lawrence adds an element of uncertainty to their squad preparations.
