Brent Pilnick
BBC Sport at Sandy Park

Marlie Packer was not short of fans this afternoon - she’s from Yeovil which is around 50 miles up the road from Exeter.

With her two tries she did not disappoint them or anyone else at Sandy Park and got a great ovation from all corners of the ground when she came off just now.

England are defending in their 22 and Emily Scarratt kicks it long. Italy were offside again though and we come back for a penalty. Katy Daley-Mclean kicks to touch as Simon Middleton bites his nails in the crowd.

He looks quite stressed for a man whose side are 33 points ahead.

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt, who openly admits she struggles with more than 30 minutes of rugby after switching from sevens, comes on for Leanne Riley. Hunt should bring a boost of pace to England's backline.

Vicky Fleetwood comes on for Marlie Packer.

Rigoni is still blinking furiously but is staying on.

Katy Daley-Mclean boots the ball and Italy collect. England's Cath O'Donnell looks to have got a turnover but the referee thinks differently.

Rigoni steps up to kick to touch and clearly her vision isn't affecting her too much because her aim is perfect.

Beatrice Rigoni is receiving treatment, it looks to be an issue with her eye. Not ideal for a fly-half.

This is much more like it from England.

You have to feel that Italy deserve a try after the first half they had, but I'm sure the Sandy Park crowd won't mind.

Heather Fisher
2014 Women's World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

What a great scrum from the whole pack, and a great touchdown from Marlie Packer. For her to play here almost on home soil is fantastic for her.

Now they are not under pressure, we'll see England come alive.

Image source, Getty Images

England recycle again and again, finding Kelly Smith on the left wing.

Smith struggled to find space in the first half and that trend continues. Her opposite number, Aura Muzzo, has clearly been watching video of England's other Six Nations match because she's not letting Smith get up to her usual antics.

Muzzo brings the winger down metres from the line. Smith wriggles over but the try is disallowed becaus of an earlier forward pass.

England look so much more energetic now. Seems Simon Middleton had a word at half-time.

Lark Davies finds a gap to get up to Italy's 10m line before Jess Breach sprints into the 22 on the right wing.

Heather Fisher
2014 Women's World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That's the comeback you want to see. Sometimes energy levels can be lower with 40 minutes to go, but that's just what you want to see, and who else would you want to see do that except Sarah Bern?

Katy Daley-Mclean sends up a high ball and Italy flanker Giada Franco collects.

Beatrice Rigoni kicks to touch and England have a line-out just inside Italy's half.

England will want to secure the bonus point early on in this second half.

The teams are back out, welcomed by flames up and down the pitch.

Just as in the men's tournament, pyrotechnics seem to be here to stay in the Women's Six Nations.

Heather Fisher
2014 Women's World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

Italy have played well, but I’d like them to play with more risk. England are looking strong, they have had great patience, and it’s good to see them being tested. They actually look better when they rise to that pressure.

Of course this game is just the beginning of an exciting day of rugby.

Coverage of Scotland v Wales begins on BBC One at 13:15 GMT.

You can keep following this live text with the telly on too!

At least the crowd are getting a half-time show though. There seems to be some sort of elaborate drum performance going on at Sandy Park...

A crowd of over 10,000 has descended on Sandy Park for this game. They've not really been treated to vintage England play so far though.

The Red Roses have scored some amazing tries in this year's competition, with prop Sarah Bern looking more like a sevens player against Wales in the last round.

Hopefully we'll see more of that rugby in the second half.

Image source, PA

England have got to be happy to be three tries up after 40 minutes.

Italy have not given them any breathing room at all. The Red Roses have faced a solid wall of blue almost every time they've attacked.

England send the ball left off the restart but Kelly Smith is brought down immediately again.

The Red Roses have more luck with Emily Scarratt on the right, but she's taken into touch and that brings up half-time.

Image source, Getty Images