The England fans boo and Emily Scarratt looks forlorn as the TMO decides the ball is lost forward over the line.

Italy have the scrum and clear it out of their own 22.

Image source, PA

After a handling error on the right flank, England go up the left.

Emily Scarratt wriggles through and quickly dabs down as she's tackled by Lucia Gai.

The referee gives it but then goes for the review. Was the ball controlled? We wait...

Amber Reed's cross-field kick is collected by Manuel Furlan but England try scorer Lydia Thompson charges down.

Italy recover and try to get back over the halfway line. They're met by a wall of white, though.

Italy are penalised for offside at the kick-off so England earn an attacking scrum on the halfway line.

They keep possession but aren't making much headway in terms of territory.

The move finishes when Danielle Waterman drops the ball and Italy earn the scrum.

Another decent line-out for England in Italian territory.

The Red Roses gain some inches with a driving maul. They're edging closer and closer.

Now they feed down the line...

Marlie Packer has had to come off for an injury assessment. On comes Harriet Millar-Mills, who started against Spain.

Italy make their most promising break yet. Beatrice Rigoni weaves up the left into space and England's defence are under the cosh.

Errors are creeping in from both sides. It's been a bit scrappy so far in Dublin.

After a scrum in their own half, Italy try to make a rare attack.

The referee awards an Italy scrum on the half-way line and there's a break in play with a couple of players laid out injured on the field.

England are penalised for a high tackle and Veronica Schiavon decides to go for the kick, which will be pretty central inside the England 22.

The Italian fly-half lines it up and it's good. Italy get off the mark.

Isabella Locatelli, the Italy flanker, makes a strong run down the right flank before being cleared out by Natasha Hunt.

England's first line-out is taken well and the title holders drive their maul forward.

Amy Wilson-Hardy makes a quick dart cross field and England are closing in on their second try.

On the restart, referee Tim Baker reminds the Italians 'not to yell' while the opposition are taking kicks.

They don't seem to understand what he's said, but nod along anyway.

The Italians finally break into the England 22 but the Red Roses steal possession and kick down field to clear the danger.

The Wales fans have already started to arrive in Dublin to watch their side's clash with world number three Canada.

It's a must-win for the Welsh, following their opening defeat by New Zealand in Pool A.

Amber Reed looks like she's sent Amy Wilson-Hardy on her way over the line but the pass is a little too low for the England centre and once again the Red Roses miss the chance to cross.

It's still one-way traffic, though.

Emily Scarratt, who is captaining England today, makes a brilliant run up the left but the centre is just held up on the line by several blue shirts.

From the resulting scrum, England feed to the right as they edge ever closer to the try line.

It's all pick and go. Can Italy stand their ground?

Justine Lucas is penalised for collapsing the scrum so Italy have the chance to kick to touch.

But instead, Alex Matthews collects the ball for England on the left flank.

They start their attack again.

England are gifted a scrum just outside the Italian 22.

The Red Roses push forward with purpose, feeding from right to left.

But Marlie Packer loses possession and Italy earn a scrum deep inside their own territory.

England: Danielle Waterman; Lydia Thompson, Emily Scarratt, Rachael Burford, Amy Wilson-Hardy; Amber Reed, Natasha Hunt; Rochelle Clark, Amy Cokayne, Justine Lucas, Tamara Taylor, Zoe Aldcroft, Izzy Noel-Smith, Marlie Packer, Alex Matthews.

Replacements: Heather Kerr, Vickii Cornborough, Poppy Cleall, Harriet Millar-Mills, Sarah Hunter, La Toya Mason, Katy Mclean, Megan Jones.

Italy: Manuela Furlan; Michela Sillari, Maria Grazia Cioffi, Beatrice Rigoni, Maria Magatti; Veronica Schiavon, Sara Barattin (capt); Marta Ferrari, Melissa Bettoni, Lucia Gai, Valeria Fedrighi, Alice Trevisan, Ilaria Arrighetti, Isabella Locatelli, Elisa Giordano.

Replacements: Elisa Cucchiella, Gaia Giacomoli, Sara Tounesi, Valentina Ruzza, Silvia Gaudino, Sofia Stefan, Paola Zangirolami, Veronica Madia.