Match report
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**Mission accomplished for England.** It got loose in the second half of the second half, but they were clinical before then. No great structure, no real set plan, but they kept the ball alive, scored some lovely tries and had some big players put in big performances. Their slim hopes of a title are alive!



Updated at 13.44 EDT

TRY! England 42-17 Italy (Menoncello, 71)
----------------------------------------

**He deserves that.** Zuliani almost had a try himself after he stepped one, then another and was hauled down just a metre short. Then Italy concede a penalty at the scrum.



Updated at 12.46 EDT

**74 min:** England’s turn to make a mess of clean ball from a line-out. The first ruck was left unguarded and an Italian boot stole in and hacked it forward. England counter but lose it themselves. We’re back for an Italian scrum almost exactly where we started. Good defensive work from Mitchell who now makes way for van Portvleit, back in the fold for the first time this .

Updated at 12.46 EDT

**73 min:**
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Italy have run out of puff. England can play! “_Blimey! Who knew?”_ says **Phillip Haran.**

They’ve been really really good. Not from structure. I wouldn’t call this a Borthwick coaching masterclass. But the players have responded to the criticism with some lovely touches and storming runs.

An Italian penalty is kicked up field which Cowan-Dickie, on for George, will throw to the line inside his own half.

Updated at 12.25 EDT

**58 min:**
------------

Some kick tennis and territorial probing ends Mitchell hoisting another high one which Garbisi drops. He’s not having his best game. Ben Early hobbles off. But perhaps just a precaution. Nicotera is replaced by Lucchesi for this scrum. Cunningham-South is on for Earl.

Updated at 11.49 EDT

**46 min:**
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Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.45 EDT

**43 min:**
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Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.45 EDT

**40 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.45 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy hang one high for M Smith who doesn’t fancy it. It’s out for an England line-out. Did Smith miss it completely? Either way, they win the line-out but one phase later Vintcent is stooping low to win a penalty on the ground right in front of England’s sticks. Genge isn’t happy but Garbisi has his kicking tee. He should slot this without fuss.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
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Italy allow a Mitchell box kick to bounce and England pounce on it. Itoje is thundered by Nicotera but England keep it. Freeman down the right makes metres and finds support. Italy give away a penalty that Mitchell takes quickly and he’s just a metre short. Italy stray offside, England have a free shot…

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Capuozzo hangs one high for M Smith who doesn’t fancy it. It’s out for an England line-out. Did Smith miss it completely? Either way, they win the line-out but one phase later Vintcent is stooping low to win a penalty on the ground right in front of England’s sticks. Genge isn’t happy but Garbisi has his kicking tee. He should slot this without fuss.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

Half-time! England 21-17 Italy
-----------------------------

**Italy can’t clear the ball after the line-out maul so that’ll be that.** Five tries. Great rugby on show. England not at their best but that’s a testament to Italy. Looking forward to the second set.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**40 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy allow a Mitchell box kick to bounce and England pounce on it. Itoje is thundered by Nicotera but England keep it. Freeman down the right makes metres and finds support. Italy give away a penalty that Mitchell takes quickly and he’s just a metre short. Italy stray offside, England have a free shot…

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**35 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**39 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT

**37 min:**
------------

Italy win the scrum penalty. Stuart penalised on the second shove. They can’t make use of the advantage so Garbisi kicks to the corner. Italy with the throw about 12 metres out.

Updated at 11.44 EDT
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