ENG
No.Name
15Elliot Daly, FB
14Joe Cokanasiga, W
13Manu Tuilagi, C
T
2
12Ben Te'o, C
11Jonny May, W
T
10Owen Farrell, FH
4
9Ben Youngs, SH
1Ellis Genge, P
2Jamie George, H
T
3Kyle Sinckler, P
4Joe Launchbury, L
5George Kruis, L
T
6Brad Shields, FL
T
2
7Tom Curry, FL
8Billy Vunipola, N8
Replacements
16Luke Cowan-Dickie, R
17Ben Moon, R
18Dan Cole, R
19Nathan Hughes, R
20Mark Wilson, R
21Dan Robson, R
T
22George Ford, R
3
23Henry Slade, R

*Players currently on the pitch are shown in bold

Game Info

Venue: Twickenham
4:45 PM, March 9, 2019
All CommentaryKey Events

Match Commentary

81'57-14 End of second half
80'That will do it. Nobody is sorry to see it end, and it's England's biggest total against Italy for eight years. At the end of a week dominated by the talk of promotion, relegation, Tier 1, Tier 2 and a World Nations League, this was a thumping reminder of how far apart the haves and have-nots are in world rugby.
80'57-14 Conversion - George Ford , England
79'And another charge-down try! Pathetic from Italy, frankly. Kruis is again the man who charges it down, this time it's Tebaldi the scrum-half who doesn't realise how little time he has, and it loops into Brad Shields' hands for him to fall over the line, laughing. And that sums this game up well.
79'55-14 Try - Brad Shields , England
78'Daly looks to set May away on the left flank, but the ball bounces into touch deep in the Italy 22.
76'And England thwart Italy, who are penalised for not releasing. That's a nice mini-win for England, another notch in the belt for them defensively in what has been a fundamentally sound performance, as well as free-scoring.
74'Italy take the ball at the lineout and set up a maul, but England are holding very tight. The ball comes inside and then back out to the right, with Hayward trying to find some space. England are getting a little defensive test to end this game, which Eddie Jones won't be all that upset about, you have to imagine -- there's only one competitive match left before the Rugby World Cup in September, after all.
73'A galloping break from Italy - the lock Federico Ruzza is the man who's burst clear. He's eventually brought down and Italy get a penalty for a high tackle, right in front of the posts. Italy are going for the corner because... well, why not?
71'Some high farce, as a doctor tries to get off the field and is barreled over accidentally by Jonny May. Everyone smiling about it all, but that could have been nasty -- and who would have attended to the injured doctor?!
69'George Ford converts, and that's the 50 up for England.
69'50-14 Conversion - George Ford , England
68'And another one! This time it's substitute Dan Robson, who scores his first try after Daly sets Cokanasiga away on the right, he makes a super move to get clear and then it's an easy pass inside to Robson to scamper over from 20 metres.
68'48-14 Try - Dan Robson , England
66'Substitute on - Nathan Hughes , England
66'Player substituted - Joe Launchbury , England
65'43-14 Conversion - George Ford , England
64'And another try for England - out of pretty much nothing! Italy are looking to clear their lines but George Kruis barges through and comfortably charges down Jayden Hayward's attempted punt, before calmly gathering and touching down at the posts. Farrell converts.
64'41-14 Try - George Kruis , England
62'Player substituted - Manu Tuilagi , England
62'Substitute on - Henry Slade , England
62'Player substituted - Owen Farrell , England
62'Substitute on - George Ford , England
62'Player substituted - Ben Youngs , England
62'Substitute on - Dan Robson , England
62'Player substituted - Sergio Parisse , Italy
62'Substitute on - Cherif Traore , Italy
62'Substitute on - Guglielmo Palazzani , Italy
62'Player substituted - Luca Morisi , Italy
61'There's a bit of back and forth in the midfield, before Elliot Daly kicks towards touch, and hits it out on the full. Sloppy stuff, and this is time for England to start bringing on some replacements and take the win and bonus point home to bed.
59'Long, long delay before we get a scrum set again. This is pretty tedious, not going to lie...
59'Player substituted - Ellis Genge , England
59'Substitute on - Ben Moon , England
59'Player substituted - Jamie George , England
59'Substitute on - Luke Cowan-Dickie , England
58'Italy start trying to play ball on their own line, and that's not smart. They're turned over and England have a chance to score another try. Billy Vunipola takes the charge forward, then Genge, now Youngs ships it to Te'o, who overruns it and knocks on.
56'Player substituted - Tom Curry , England
56'Substitute on - Mark Wilson , England
56'Substitute on - Dan Cole , England
56'Player substituted - Kyle Sinckler , England
56'36-14 Conversion - Tommaso Allan , Italy
55'Another super conversion from Allan. Italy have some nice pieces, they just can't seem to piece an entire match together.
54'Italy are going to score! They have! Luca Morisi piles over in the corner as England fans seek to amuse themselves by putting the torch setting on on their mobile phones, crating a lovely backdrop for the visitors to score their second try of the match.
54'36-12 Try - Luca Morisi , Italy
51'Italy have brought on a raft of subs after that try and it's disrupted the flow not only of the game but of trying to set the scrum. It's a mess, and we might spend the remainder of this match trying to get one going...
49'Substitute on - David Sisi , Italy
49'Player substituted - Dean Budd , Italy
49'Player substituted - Sebastian Negri , Italy
49'Substitute on - Jake Polledri , Italy
49'Substitute on - Leonardo Ghiraldini , Italy
49'Player substituted - Luca Bigi , Italy
49'Player substituted - Simone Ferrari , Italy
49'Substitute on - Tiziano Pasquali , Italy
47'This is basically an exhibition match now, but Cokanasiga keeps injecting life into Twickenham. His dancing feet opens up space in the 22, then holds on long enough to set up a chance a couple of passes later for Tuilagi to score his second try of the match.
47'36-7 Try - Manu Tuilagi , England
45'Italy are certainly the hungrier so far since the break, but the loose balls keep bouncing to England. Then there's a chance for Jonny May on the wing, but he can't get his boot to it before it touches the whitewash. Lineout, Italy.
44'Just as they did at the end of the first half, Italy are working through the phases in the England 22. Closing in on 20 phases this time around. And then one loose pass, a boot upfield from Farrell and a haring chase from Jonny May, and it's all to nought.
42'Italy are on the front foot early in the second half, winning a tap penalty from a scrum that took an age to set.
41'The teams come back out on to the field to the strains of Fatboy Slim. Is that a comment on the gigantic England team? Anyway, we're back underway.
41'+131-7 End of first half
40'Italy are up to phase 15 of this move, but the England defence is holding firm well. The ball bobbles around and there's eventually a knock on, and the move goes dead. Sadly, this isn't much of a contest, but England players and fans won't care a jot!
40'A slight ray of hope for Italy at the end of the first half, as they take advantage of some sloppy defending by England to turn them round and get into the England 22.
40'31-7 Start of second half
36'Cokanasiga is now in the scrum, as he and Billy Vunipola switch positions. Goodness, do England have options or what? And the play works too, with the ball going to Vunipola from the scrum and putting England on the front foot. This is feeling more and more like a training match, a chance to try things out and see what works and what doesn't.
33'And in a flash, there's the bonus point! Tuilagi creates the space, darts past challengers and then a simple pass inside sets Brad Shields clear through to the posts. This is shaping up to be a fearful thumping for Italy.
33'Player substituted - Tommaso Castello , Italy
33'Substitute on - Ian McKinley , Italy
33'31-7 Conversion - Owen Farrell , England
32'29-7 Try - Brad Shields , England
30'England's defence holds firm again, and they force a turnover as Italy can't get the ball out of the ruck. Scrum on the edge of England's 22, and you'd fancy them to clear their lines.
28'Italy trying to work through some phases and simply take the speed out of the match -- a free and open game is not in their interests. They are going backwards in a hurry though, conceding 20 metres in no time at all. Still, they force a penalty from England for going off feet, and they'll aim for the corner and a chance at a second try.
26'Farrell dinks over and England are just about out of sight.
26'24-7 Penalty goal - Owen Farrell , England
25'England are camping out on the Italy line just now. Youngs going right then left and then chipping over the top with a penalty advantage - Italy caught not moving away. Farrell opts for the points, and there are some boos from the home fans.
23'Player substituted - Michele Campagnaro , Italy
23'Substitute on - Tommaso Castello , Italy
22'Farrell converts. England could score with every possession, the way things look right now.
22'21-7 Conversion - Owen Farrell , England
21'TRY! Manu Tuilagi sprints clear in style, taking the pass at halfway, breaking two tackles and then leaving nobody with a chance because of his turn of pace. Astonishing out-of-nothing moment from Tuilagi, and a special moment for him - his first try at Twickenham for six years!
21'19-7 Try - Manu Tuilagi , England
19'Twickenham gets excited as space opens up for Kyle Sinckler to have a run, but a fabulous tap tackle from a flailing Italian hand brings the rampaging forward to ground. He's developing into a cult hero, and a try from halfway would have cemented Sinckler as a Twickenham favourite.
18'Italy aren't going to buckle quickly, though, and they're back in the England 22. However, a thumping tackle from Ellis Genge forces Italy onto their heels and then into not releasing. Amazing work from Genge.
17'Farrell with another fine conversion, and this is shaping up to be a try-fest.
16'14-7 Conversion - Owen Farrell , England
15'Normal service is resumed. Elliot Daly finds a crease, makes 25 metres, breaks three tackles, takes in the last defender and then passes out to Jonny May to score.
15'12-7 Try - Jonny May , England
14'Wow, what a conversion from Allan out on the left wing. Goodness, Italy have silenced Twickenham.
14'7-7 Conversion - Tommaso Allan , Italy
13'Great tackle by Farrell forces Italy backwards and earns approval from the Twickenham stands. Italy still have the ball though and are through! Try! This is going to get looked at perhaps by the TMO, nope, it's a try! Tommaso Allan is the man who finds the crease and bursts through in style, beating Youngs' despairing tackle to dot down. Perhaps this won't be plain sailing after all?
12'7-5 Try - Tommaso Allan , Italy
11'Italy finally getting some possession, prompted mainly by Sergio Parisse, who is back after sitting out the match against Ireland in Rome. Scrum half Tito Tebaldi tries to probe a little, and Italy are up over a dozen phases on this play.
9'Farrell to attempt the conversion from the left side -- hooks it through smoothly, and England are firmly in control.
9'7-0 Conversion - Owen Farrell , England
8'Italy cave quickly before the scrum can even be taken, the forwards under an awful lot of pressure because of the sheer size of the England pack and team in general. England opt for the lineout and Jamie George barrels over for the first try!
8'5-0 Try - Jamie George , England
5'Cokanasiga is ridiculously entertaining to watch! He hurtles forward Lomu-style, ball in one hand, fending off defenders dismissively with the other, then flicking it inside to first Ben Youngs, but a poor pass from Youngs stops Jonny May from being able to score. A couple of plays later and England are pinged for a forward pass.
3'Cokanasiga shows what he can do on the ground as well with some wonderful chasing of a long kick that forces Italy into a mistake and a penalty on their own line. England take it quickly and Farrell tries to kick it through, but the Italy defence has recovered quickly enough to thwart the danger.
2'Cokanasiga with a brilliant piece of skill to clutch Owen Farrell's cross-field kick and immediately flick a pass out of the back of his hand towards Tom Curry, who knocks on, probably out of sheer disbelief. That was incredible athleticism from Cokanasiga.
1'England win the ball back quickly from kick-off, with Cokanasiga the chief chaser, and Elliot Daly sprints forward to give England some early momentum.
1'Owen Farrell to kick us off... and we're underway!
1'The teams are out, the anthems are over and we're just about ready for match No.2 of week No.4 of the 2019 Six Nations!
1'Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of England against Italy at Twickenham.

Wales' win earlier today against Scotland means that England must win their two remaining games to stand a chance of claiming the title. They will also need some help (but not too much) from Ireland next weekend, to prevent Wales from winning the Grand Slam and open up the chance for Eddie Jones' men to steal the championship.

For Italy, it's a chance to halt a record losing streak -- but they have never beaten England and needed to go to the very back of the playbook last time at Twickenham to cause their hosts problems: do you remember Italy's ruckless tactics of two years ago?
1'0-0 Start of first half

Six Nations Championship 2019 News