Summary

  • Youngs, Marchant, Genge & Watson score second-half tries

  • Farrell slots three penalties to put England nine clear at break

  • Both teams' final game before the World Cup

  • Use play icon at top of the page to listen to BBC commentary

  1. Elementary, Watsonpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Becky Grey
    BBC Sport at St James’ Park

    Anthony Watson is making his first start at full-back since picking up an Achilles injury in March 2018.

    Ben Youngs has been putting him to the test under the high ball. He hasn't dropped one yet.

    Anthony Watson catches the ballImage source, BBC Sport
  2. Tune in!published at 19:23 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    BBC Radio 5 Live

    As well as following our wonderfully entertaining text updates, you can also listen to all of the build-up and full match commentary over on BBC Radio 5 Live now.

    Happy listening!

  3. First-time fanspublished at 19:20 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Becky Grey
    BBC Sport at St James’ Park

    England's visit to Newcastle gives many supporters a first chance to see them in action live.

    Dad Adrian and daughter Hollie have never been to a rugby match before, not even at club level, so they're jumping right in at the deep end.

    They're from Sheffield so used to be football fans but Adrian made the switch to rugby a few years ago because of "footballers falling over too much".

    I'm with you Adrian.

    Hollie and AdrianImage source, BBC Sport
  4. Reaction to Chester Williams' deathpublished at 19:19 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 2

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 2
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 3

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 3
    This Twitter post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Twitter
    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    Skip twitter post 4

    Allow Twitter content?

    This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

    The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
    End of twitter post 4
  5. Springbok legend Chester Williams has diedpublished at 19:17 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    From one South African winger to another, news has broken today that former Springbok Chester Williams has died.

    Williams was the only black player in the side which beat New Zealand in the World Cup final on home soil in 1995.

    He passed away from a heart attack in Cape Town on Friday afternoon, aged 49.

    Chester WilliamsImage source, Getty Images
  6. Springboks finally avenge THAT defeatpublished at 19:14 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    As well as England and Italy, 10 other participating countries conclude their World Cup preparations this weekend.

    South Africa have already avenged their shock 2015 defeat against the 2019 hosts Japan, in their first meeting since that famous afternoon in Brighton.

    Winger Makazole Mapimpi scored a 52 minute hat-trick in a 41-7 win earlier today and you can read the full match report here.

    Makazole MapimpiImage source, Getty Images
  7. No Parisse for the Azzurripublished at 19:11 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Whenever I think of Italian rugby, my mind automatically turns to the colossus that is Sergio Parisse.

    But the Italian skipper is being rested tonight as head coach Conor O'Shea makes 11 changes to the side that was beaten 47-19 by France last week.

    New Zealand-born lock Dean Budd will lead the side, while Gloucester scrum-half Callum Braley, who captained England Under-20s to World Championship victory in 2014, makes his first start for Italy.

    Conor O'SheaImage source, Getty Images
  8. 'Mix and match strategy'published at 19:09 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Eddie Jones' team selection has been described as a "mix and match strategy".

    Harlequins centre Joe Marchant starts in the midfield despite not being picked for the World Cup squad.

    But there are also starts for captain Owen Farrell and number eight Billy Vunipola - both likely candidates to start against Tonga in their World Cup opener.

    You can read more on the team news here.

    Owen FarrellImage source, Getty Images
  9. Team newspublished at 19:06 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Just in case you missed it in the week, here are the teams for tonight...

    England: Watson; McConnochie, Marchant, Francis, May; Farrell (c), Youngs; Marler, George, Cole, Launchbury, Lawes, Curry, Wilson, B Vunipola.

    Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Genge, Sinckler, Ewels, Kvesic, Heinz, Ford, Cokanasiga.

    Italy: Hayward; Bellini, Bisegni, Benvenuti, Padovani; Canna, Braley; Quaglio, Fabiani, Ferrari, Sisi, Budd (c), Negri, Steyn,Tuivaiti.

    Replacements: Zani, Lovotti, Riccioni, Ruzza, Zanni, Mbanda, Palazzani, Allan.

  10. England rugby on tourpublished at 19:04 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Becky Grey
    BBC Sport at St James’ Park

    It’s definitely an unusual feeling seeing so many England shirts outside of Twickenham - but good preparation for a World Cup.

    Organisers have tried to recreate some of that south west London magic with a fan zone in front of St James’ Park.

    It doesn’t look like much, but to be fair I did take this picture four hours before kick-off...

    England fan zoneImage source, BBC Sport
  11. How have we got here?published at 18:59 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    So how have England being getting on with their preparations?

    Well Eddie Jones and his players fly out to Japan on Sunday after an encouraging warm-up schedule.

    England beat Wales and Ireland at home although they did fall to defeat in the cauldron at the Principality in Cardiff.

    Victory this evening will be a third win in four warm-ups before the 2003 winners begin their campaign against Tonga on 22 September in Sapporo.

    Joe CokanasigaImage source, Getty Images
  12. The final piece in the jigsawpublished at 18:52 British Summer Time 6 September 2019

    England v Italy (19:45 BST)

    Warm-up matches don't matter, they said...

    Wales celebrateImage source, Reuters

    Players are too scared of getting injured, they said...

    Joe CokanasigaImage source, Getty Images

    Try telling all that to this man...

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images

    England complete their preparations for the 2019 World Cup against Italy this evening, and you can be sure the hosts will be fired up for one last hit-out before they board the plane to Japan.

    Kick off at St James' Park is at 19:45 BST.