Italy secure historic first win over England as Borthwick’s side falters in Rome

Even by the usual standards of the Six Nations, this tournament has been extraordinary. To the list of surprising results can now be added the biggest upset in Italian rugby history. For the first time in 33 attempts the Azzurri have beaten England at union, and no one can claim the English side did not earn their long‑awaited day.

With thirty minutes left it had looked as if England might leave Rome with their pride intact. Instead, not for the first time in this championship, they became the architects of their own collapse as the game's momentum shifted decisively after two visiting forwards, including captain Maro Itoje, were sent to the sin‑bin within eight minutes of each other.

Italy, once trailing 18‑10, sensed an opening and delivered the decisive blow in the 71st minute when substitute Leonardo Marin dived over to complete a brilliant counter‑attack try set up by powerful runs from Monty Ioane and Tommaso Menoncello, who had earlier produced a superb solo try of his own.

Unsurprisingly, the roar at the final whistle could have been heard across the Alps. Exact translations of the home chants were not immediately available, but it was easy to imagine something along the lines of “Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson, David Beckham, Jamie Oliver; your boys took a proper drubbing …”

Their jubilation was fully deserved. Not long ago Italy could not win a match, enduring a run of 36 consecutive Six Nations defeats that lasted seven years and only ended in 2022. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has done an outstanding job since taking charge two years ago, and this result provided the ultimate proof.

What can be said of England? As they head to Paris, via a brief training camp in Verona, for next week’s final round, there are few excuses left to cling to. A loss to France would give them four defeats in a single championship for the first time since 1976 and only the third such occurrence since the tournament expanded to five nations 116 years ago.

The dynamism and cohesion displayed during their previous 12‑test winning run under Steve Borthwick have vanished. They did manage a couple of well‑executed first‑half tries through Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, but for the third consecutive match they proved alarmingly fragile under pressure. Is it their tactics, the quality of the instructions they receive, or a collective loss of power? The answer is likely a mix of all three.

In truth, however, the credit belongs chiefly to Italy, who finished comfortably as the stronger side. Perhaps the pre‑match anthem had been sung louder and with more intent before, but it was hard to recall a more impassioned rendition. The result at Murrayfield had also clearly bolstered the belief that this could be their day, especially after news that Tom Curry was injured in the warm‑up and Underhill was drafted into the starting lineup.