RUGBY – ITALY pulled off their first-ever win over England at the 33rd attempt with a stunning 23-18 win at Stadio Olimpico yesterday as the visitors slumped to a third successive Six Nations defeat after Leonardo Marin’s try eight minutes from time.
The Italians had beaten every other Six Nations side since joining the competition in 2000 but England had always remained untouchable. This time, Italy sensed their chance had arrived and the win in the Eternal City will live long in the memory.
England had never looked as vulnerable coming into a game against Italy, after back-to-back defeats by Scotland and Ireland, and Steve Borthwick’s much-changed side failed to hold onto an eight-point advantage in the second half.
England took a two-point lead into the break after tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, while Tommaso Menoncello went over for Italy and Paolo Garbisi added five from the boot.
Smith sent two penalties over to extend England’s advantage and Italy looked to be on the ropes but were revitalised by two Garbisi penalties and England’s poor discipline, with Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje sent to the sin-bin.
Italy’s Monty Ioane did well to gather a cross-field kick, Menoncello took the pass and raced ahead before finding Marin with an infield pass and Garbisi converted, with England guilty of errors late in the game as Italy held on for a landmark win.
Only six England players were retained from the starting side which lost to Ireland with just three of those remaining in the same position but Borthwick’s gamble failed to pay off against a rock-solid Italy who never gave up.
Garbisi put Italy ahead after 20 minutes, tapping over an easy penalty but England responded five minutes later with Freeman strolling in unchallenged for the try.
Smith put the conversion wide and Italy were back in front after Menoncello burst through a gap and was never going to be caught, raising his arm in celebration before diving in for the try.
Garbisi made no mistake with the conversion but England made some late pressure pay before the break with Smith’s cross-field kick sending Roebuck in and Smith converted.
Smith extended England’s lead with a penalty after the break before Italian hooker Giacomo Nicotera was sent to the sin-bin and Smith put another penalty over as the hosts looked to be running out of steam.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend praised the mindset of his players to keep attacking France in their extraordinary 50-40 Six Nations Championship victory at Murrayfield that keeps their title hopes alive.
Scotland ran in seven tries, several of them from attacking line-outs where they could have taken the safer bet of shots at goal but instead were intent on turning the screw on the visitors that saw them at one stage score 40 unanswered points.
“It was a brilliant day,” Townsend said. “Not just the rugby we played, but the mindset to keep attacking, a lot of teams would sit on that lead against France. We know the best way of winning is playing like what got us that success in the first half.”
Second-placed Scotland are now level with France on 16 points at the top of the Six Nations table but well behind on points difference.
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