England take bonus point victory after getting their heads around Italian approach
Eddie Jones’ men are top of the table, but Ireland will hope that points difference comes into play after England missed today’s opportunity to pile scores on the Azzurri.
England prop Dan Cole drove over for a try off a close-range line-out to open the scoring.
Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan, who had previously missed two penalties, reduced the deficit with a well-taken drop-goal and when a third penalty came back off the post, wing Giovanbattista Venditti was first to the loose ball for a try that stunned Twickenham.
Allan converted and Italy led an England side, who had won all 16 of their previous Tests, by five points.
James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
The home side, who have won all 22 of their previous Tests against the Azzurri, opened the second-half with a quick brace from Danny Care and Elliot Daly.
Michele Campagnaro scored a fine individual try to maintain Italian pressure before Jack Nowell (2) and Ben Te’o crossed the Italian whitewash to blow out the final scoreline.
The result leaves England top of the Six Nations table, but the points difference cushion which head coach Eddie Jones had hoped to build in this fixture did not materialise and Ireland should still hold out hope of over-taking the reigning champions on the final day in Dublin.
England take bonus point victory after getting their heads around Italian approach
England 36
Italy 15
ENGLAND ADDED SOME brains to brawn in the second half of this afternoon’s Six Nations clash with Italy to seal a bonus point victory at Twickenham.
Italy had held a shock 10-5 lead at half-time, thanks in no small part to their use of innovative, but controversial, ruck tactics.
England prop Dan Cole drove over for a try off a close-range line-out to open the scoring.
Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan, who had previously missed two penalties, reduced the deficit with a well-taken drop-goal and when a third penalty came back off the post, wing Giovanbattista Venditti was first to the loose ball for a try that stunned Twickenham.
Allan converted and Italy led an England side, who had won all 16 of their previous Tests, by five points.
The home side, who have won all 22 of their previous Tests against the Azzurri, opened the second-half with a quick brace from Danny Care and Elliot Daly.
Michele Campagnaro scored a fine individual try to maintain Italian pressure before Jack Nowell (2) and Ben Te’o crossed the Italian whitewash to blow out the final scoreline.
The result leaves England top of the Six Nations table, but the points difference cushion which head coach Eddie Jones had hoped to build in this fixture did not materialise and Ireland should still hold out hope of over-taking the reigning champions on the final day in Dublin.
‘I’m the referee, not your coach’: Italy’s ruck tactic had England perplexed and behind at half-time
O’Halloran celebrates birthday with bonus point try in Treviso
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
6 Nations Six Nations Conor O'Shea England Italy thinking caps