England’s worst nightmares turned actuality as Italy recorded a historic 23-18 Six Nations victory on the Stadio Olimpico, beating them for the primary time.
Tasked with rising from the ruins in Rome after successive defeats to Scotland and Eire, England’s Six Nations hunch plunged to new depths on a well-known night time for Italian rugby.
England regarded on the right track to return to profitable methods after first‑half tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, together with two second‑half penalties from Fin Smith.
However the contest swung on the sin‑binnings Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje, with Leonardo Marin scoring the decisive strive whereas the England captain was off the sector as Italy claimed the prized scalp.
The win lifts Italy above England into fourth place within the Six Nations desk and retains them in competition for a high‑three end for the primary time.
With a visit to title‑chasing France awaiting in spherical 5, second‑backside England are watching their worst‑ever Six Nations marketing campaign – a consequence that may immediate additional looking out questions on their course beneath Steve Borthwick.
Italy declare historic win as England distress continues
England’s preparations on the Stadio Olimpico had been disrupted when Tom Curry was injured within the heat‑up, forcing Sam Underhill to step in as a late alternative.
The guests dominated the kicking battle to manage the early exchanges however failed to show strain into factors.
It took till the twenty first minute for the primary rating, Paolo Garbisi kicking a penalty after Italy had established a foothold within the contest.
Tommy Freeman celebrates after scoring England’s opening strive in Rome
Italy’s lead lasted solely 5 minutes, as Alex Cole’s sweeping move launched Freeman to attain untouched within the nook after a brutally direct line‑out routine.
The half swung again Italy’s approach by way of a second of brilliance from Tommaso Menoncello, who sliced between Joe Heyes and Underhill to revive the hosts’ benefit.
However England struck once more on the stroke of half‑time, Tom Roebuck gathering Fin Smith’s cross‑discipline kick and skipping over for a go‑forward strive after the clock had gone crimson.
Tommaso Menoncello celebrates earlier than scoring Italy’s opening strive towards England
Two Smith penalties early within the second half stretched England’s lead past one rating, and their grip tightened when Italy prop Giacomo Nicotera was sin‑binned.
However Underhill’s yellow card, adopted by two Garbisi penalties in 4 minutes, reduce England’s result in two.
Moments later, Itoje was proven a yellow for slapping the ball out of Alessandro Garbisi’s fingers, leaving England briefly all the way down to 13.
With the numbers of their favour, Italy seized their second. Menoncello bulldozed his approach down the wing with one other impressed second earlier than offloading inside to Marin, who crossed for the decisive, historical past‑making strive.
England’s gamers stand on the pitch as Italy’s Leonardo Marin celebrates after scoring a strive throughout the Six Nations rugby union match between Italy and England in Rome, Saturday, March 7, 2026. (AP Photograph/Gregorio Borgia)
Borthwick: England terribly dissatisfied
England head coach Steve Borthwick, talking to ITV Sport:
“Credit score Italy, an excellent facet who’ve developed a good distance. You may see that with the extent of their efficiency.
“We’re terribly dissatisfied, gutted by not getting the consequence. For 60 minutes I assumed we had been in management however the two sin-binnings harm us.
“[Discipline] has price us. It was the forwards at this time however the quantity of instances now we have been with no back-three participant and conceded factors… it has been a big issue on this championship.
“It provides hundreds to different gamers and is one thing we have to do rather a lot higher.”
Itoje: Actuality verify for England
England captain Maro Itoje, talking to ITV Sport after the loss in Rome:
“It’s clearly very disappointing, and it’s on us as gamers. Now we have to put on this efficiency and personal the consequence. It is a results-based enterprise.
“This workforce, over the past 12 months, has put some good performances collectively however just lately we have not. This consequence wasn’t ok.
“Now we have to face the information, face actuality and get again to work. If we knew [what was wrong] we most likely would not be on this place.
“Now we have to stay collectively. Groups undergo powerful durations and now we have having one now. We take accountability for that as gamers.”
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