Independent
Independent

Image source, Rex Features

Italy's collapse to a 63-10 defeat to Ireland last time out reignited the debate over relegation and promotion from and to the Six Nations.

Georgia, ranked two places higher than Italy at 12th in the world, have been told by Six Nations chief executive John Feehan that "in the short to medium term there is not any genuine likelihood of that happening."

England coach Eddie Jones was reluctant to get drawn on the issue but called on World Rugby to support Italy.

“If their rugby is not developing as people want then they should be supported by World Rugby and the rest of the Tier  One countries," said Jones.  , external

“It is never just financial – to make a good sporting team you need financial power, you need intellect and you need the desire so you have got to find ways to help them."

Australia legend Matt Giteau is apparently backing compatriot Eddie Jones' boys this weekend.

Although I suspect his allegiance is not too set in stone.

The Daily Telegraph

Image source, Rex Features

The Daily Telegraph have set Italy's ambitions low, but perhaps realistic, as they ask how the visitors can avoid losing by a cricket score?

The answer lies with Brendan Venter, the former Saracens' director of rugby who masterminded their ascent to the top of the domestic and European game.

"Former Italy coach Jacques Brunel used a more passive defence,” former France defence coach Dave Ellis tells the Daily Telegraph., external

“Brendan places far more emphasis on getting off the line, putting the opposition under pressure with a view to turning the ball over.”  

Owen Farrell will collect his 50th Test cap for England later, and there's no shortage of goodwill being shared for the 25 year-old on social media...

Whatever twists and turns this season's Six Nations championships take, let BBC Sport be your guide with alerts direct to your phone.

The latest news, views, reaction and action from the heart of the tournament will be delivered straight to your phone so you are always first to know.

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Two and a half years is a long time in rugby.

Well, it's quite a long time in any industry to be honest.

But since South Sydney won the NRL Grand Final in October 2014, Sam Burgess has switched to union, been part of a failed World Cup campaign and flip-flopped back to league, Australia and the Rabbitohs.

In the meantime Ben Te'o - his team-mate in that NRL title win - has swapped codes to join Irish province Leinster, then moved to Worcester and finally picked up the England crash centre role vacated by Burgess.

It's a tangled web these fellas weave.

Image source, Getty Images

Ireland Women have maintained their unbeaten record in this year's championship with a 13-10 win over France in Dublin, and they join England at the top of the table on three wins out of three.

France arguably got the better of the opening exchange, however, when both teams chose to give unaccompanied versions of their national anthems when the PA apparently failed them.

Avid rugby fan John Goldman only returned to the game aged 50. 

Now 76, he's played more than 440 times for Mill Hill RFC, external , is still going strong in the forwards and tackles trees for practice while out walking his dog. 

Watch John explain how rugby has made such a difference to his life...

If you wanted to get involved in rugby union and find a local club, check out our Get Inspired guide and follow John's amazing example!

Image source, Bristol Post

And just to rub salt into the wound, Jonathan Joseph found that the Bristol Post previewed the match he is playing in instead of today's Twickenham Test by mistakenly including a picture of France's Wesley Fofana.

Image source, Rex

The last time that England met Italy was 14th February 2016.

The second game of Eddie Jones' reign was not quite the Valentine's Day massacre that some England fans had been hoping for.

But one of the stand-out players was centre Jonathan Joseph who purred in for a hat-trick of tries as England came on strong in the second half.

Spin forward 12 months though and Bath centre Joseph has been bombed out of the match-day squad.

A well-earned rest or an overdue boot to the backside? Only Eddie knows...

Chris Jones
BBC rugby reporter

Down in the Twickenham tunnel with the captains - Dylan Hartley and Sergio Parisse - and today's referee, the Frenchman Romain Poite.

Have just spoken to England coach Eddie Jones, hear the interview on 5 live shortly, and across social media platforms.

Image source, Rex

Some breaking team news from down in the dressing rooms.

Italy have been forced into a late change in the front row with hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini forced out by injury.

Ornel Gega comes in.

There have been a conveyor belt of celebrities turning out to catch a bit of the England afterglow over the last fortnight.

Last Friday, Prince Harry was at training. Although he is RFU patron to be fair.

Image source, Rex Features

Then on Wednesday it was former Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew.

Image source, Getty Images

If it is Thursday, it must be Chelsea head honcho Antonio Conte.

And finally, on Friday, England batsman Alastair Cook went looking for an answer to his weakness to a full, swinging ball outside off stump.

Image source, Rex Features

Image source, Getty Images

The quarter of this match might be where things get particularly messy for Italy.

While England have scored 43% of their points after 60 minutes in their two matches thus far, Italy’s familiar capitulation after the hour mark has seen them concede a shocking 46% of their points in that period. 

The points spread could expand like Mr Creosote's waistline late on.

Tom Fordyce
Chief sports writer at Twickenham

Image source, Getty Images

"An air of relaxation around the bars and street food/burger vans tucked under Twickenham's skirts, and not just because it's Sunday afternoon. 

"This is statistically the absolute banker in the Six Nations schedule, a game when dog bites man again and again. Italy have sometimes got close, not least in 2012 and 2013, but none among the quaffers and scoffers here expects to witness man biting dog in a few hours time."