Italy: (5) 5 |
Try: Polledri |
England: (10) 34 |
Tries: Youngs 2, George, Curry, Slade Pens: Farrell Cons: Farrell 3 |
England put themselves in prime position to win the Six Nations with a laboured bonus-point win against Italy.
Ben Youngs – celebrating his 100th cap – scored the opening try, before Kyle Sinckler’s fumble gave Jake Polledri the chance to hit back.
England came out with renewed intensity after the break and Youngs capitalised with his second score.
The visitors then found their rhythm, with 50-cap Jamie George, Tom Curry and Henry Slade all crossing.
England will have to wait until France v Ireland is completed to learn whether they have won a first Six Nations title since 2017.
Ireland will be crowned champions if they win with a bonus point or by more than six points in Paris, while France can claim the title with a bonus-point victory and a winning margin of more than 31.
More to follow.
LINE-UPS
Italy: Minozzi; Padovani, Morisi, Canna, Bellini; Garbisi, Violi; Fischetti, Bigi (capt), Zilocchi, Lazzaroni, Cannone, Negri, Steyn, Polledri.
Replacements: Lucchesi, Ferrari, Ceccarelli, Sisi, Meyer, Mbanda, Palazzani, Mori.
England: Furbank; Watson, Joseph, Slade, May; Farrell (capt), Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Dunn, Genge, Stuart, Ewels, Earl, Robson, Lawrence, Thorley.
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
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