6 Nations Tournament: England overcomes an attractive Italy, which snatches a defensive bonus

Underhill and the XV de la Rose provided the essentials. MAXPPP – Adam Davy

An air of déjà vu for Italy or the beginnings of a new era ? The Nazionale, attractive in the first period, mishandled England who lost imposed 27 to 24 during the first day of the Six Nations Tournament, Saturday.

The XV de la Rose had to wait until the 45th minute to take the lead against a Nazionale, uninhibited and attractive in the first period for the first time as coach of the Argentinian Gonzalo Quesada .

Italy scored three tries, by Alessandro Garbisi (10th), Tommaso Allan (25th) and Monty Ioanne (80+4th) and a penalty from Allan. England responded with two tries, by Elliot Daly (19th) and Alex Mitchell (44th) and five penalties from George Ford.

England had not won their first Six Nations Tournament match since 2019.

Third in the last World Cup, Steve Borthwick's team is approaching this 2024 edition with a lot of ambition, despite the absences of fly-half Owen Farrell ( on international break), Courtney Lawes (retired) or Manu Tuilagi (injured).