More intrigue than an Agatha Christie novel, more grit than an industrial sander.

This is how the third round leaves the Six Nations heap.

You'll have to wait a fortnight for the next installment.

See you there.

England head coach Eddie Jones speaking on ITV: 

"Congratulations to Italy, but it's not rugby today.

"We're exactly where we want to be in the competition and of course we're going to get better. 

"Scotland have got belief. They're confident of coming here and beating us but they've got to carry the burden of that expectation around Scotland for the next two weeks.

I'm not happy with what happened today. I've played the game, I'm not angry with what Italy did, but I'm not happy."

An intriguing round three of the Six Nations.

The fourth round is in a fortnight's time.

Friday 10 March

Wales v Ireland  

Saturday 11 March: 

Italy v France

England v Scotland

If Scotland and Ireland win, we would head into the final round with them and England all poised on three wins and a defeat.

Image source, Getty Images

Conor O'Shea speaking on ITV:

"We have a massive job to do but we will do it. We have to think differently like we did today.

"Hopefully we've earned a bit of respect here today.

"We are playing absolutely legally. We played to the laws and I thought we were fantastic. I'm very proud of the players today.

"We have to think differently as a country and play our own game. We have to be horrible to play against. We're here to win and not make up the numbers."

Image source, Getty Images

England flanker James Haskell talking to ITV:

“It was a little bit bizarre and it took us time to adjust.

“Italy were always going to come here and try different things, we didn’t expect that and I’ve only seen it once before.

“I don’t think anyone knew what was going on. The only ones who knew what was going on was the Italians.

“I asked the referee not how to deal with it, I asked him what the law was.

“We’ll go away and learn from this. Things didn’t go well this afternoon but we’ve got two weeks to go away and learn."

For all the armchair coaches who had the answer instantly to how England should play the Italian tactics, it is worth remembering that it is a lot hard in the middle of the fray.

Not only have you got to co-ordinate your tactics with 14 other people, you have got to overcome 20 odd-years of seeing the game a certain way.

Players now are so drilled that they are practically institutionalised.

England captain Dylan Hartley speaking on ITV:

"A difficult game, and a test for the team. We found something out there that we've never needed to before.

"We're full of respect for them today and they proved very difficult to break down.

"We wanted to play quicker down at the ruck. I was confused by it. The guys adapted well, we took the game line. We found a way.

"Every international team is very competitive. Their mauling threat is huge and we conceded way too many penalties. 

"We have a down week next week, and there's plenty for us to work on."

Tactical genius? Or the death of the sport? Or a bit of both?

Italy's breakdown tactics - which have been employed before in the southern hemisphere by Australia and the Chiefs at least - is the talking point post match

Image source, Getty Images

England lock Joe Launchbury speaking on ITV:

"It was a very frustrating first half, obviously Italy came with a plan around the breakdown and it took us a while to work that out.

"We knew Italy would come very passionate and fired up, but we let ourselves down in a couple of areas today.

"We've got two weeks to address these issues and look forward to a big game."

Alison: Glad we read the rule book at half time.

Keith Blundy: Well it ended well for England - but the real heroes are Italy for playing so passionately - I love Rugby Union.

David Symonds: If ever there was a game of two halves.

You know that old adage of 'it's not how you start, it's how you finish'? Well, how about this for a case in point - England finally ahead in terms of possession against Italy right at the very end of the match.

Image source, Opta

Paul Grayson
Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

From an England point of view, today will feel like a loss.They were the opposite of what everyone expected

If they haven't seen the ugly side of Eddie Jones yet, I've got a suspicion they'll see it this week. He will have a problem with the team being no-one near the levels he expects.

You've got to give credit to Italy for their tactics, it certainly upset England but they'll be disappointed about conceding so many tries late on. 

Image source, Reuters

A bonus-point win, but that only tells half the tale from Twickenham this afternoon.

England have been forced to solve a real head-scratcher of a tactical conundrum.

They got there eventually.