Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

The big ball-carriers are doing what they need to do to get England over the gain-line and it's an armchair ride for Katy Daley-Mclean at fly-half.

Italy respond positively to that early England score. They win a penalty, kick into touch and then work the ball out to the right flank.

Wing Maria Magatti thinks she is in... England have other ideas. Emily Scarratt and Abby Dow charge over and hustle Magatti into touch.

Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

That was a fantastic score. England played the phases very patiently.

Dancing away, Ellie Kildunne finds her way to the tryline. Superb.

Early scrum for England as they look to make a fast start. Wing Abby Dow comes in-field to try and punch a hole in the home defence before England go out wide. Opposite wing Jess Breach can't outpace them and the ball goes back inside...

Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

England will probably take a little while to get everything moving in the right direction.

Italy have already had a run-out against Ireland last weekend.

A few neck rolls and fixings of the scrummage cap as we wait for the signal that we can kick off. Waiting for the Italian advertisements to finish, no doubt.

The ref gets the nod, a countdown follows, and then a kick towards touch from England's Katy Daley-Mclean signals it is game on.

Even in these dark times, a particularly passionate rendition of the Italian national anthem cannot fail to bring a smile to your face, no matter your nationality. Che bello!

Italy XV

15 Manuela Furlan (c), 14 Maria Magatti, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Beatrice Rigoni, 11 Sofia Stefan;

10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sara Barattin;

1 Silvia Turani, 2 Melissa Bettoni, 3 Lucia Gai, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 7 Giada Franco, 8 Elisa Giordano.Replacements: 16 Giulia Cerato, 17 Erika Skofca, 18 Michela Merlo, 19 Sara Tounesi, 20 Francesca Sberna, 21 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 22 Aura Muzzo, 23 Benedetta Mancini

England XV

15 Ellie Kildunne, 14 Jess Breach, 13 Emily Scarratt (c), 12 Amber Reed, 11 Abby Dow;

10 Katy Daley-Mclean, 9 Claudia MacDonald;

1 Vickii Cornborough, 2 Lark Davies, 3 Sarah Bern, 4 Abbie Ward, 5 Morwenna Talling, 6 Poppy Cleall, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Sarah Beckett.Replacements:16 Amy Cokayne, 17 Detysha Harper, 18 Shaunagh Brown, 19 Harriet Millar-Mills, 20 Alex Matthews, 21 Leanne Riley, 22 Helena Rowland, 23 Zoe Harrison.

Like last night in the men's Six Nations, both sets of players solemnly line up on the side of the pitch and observe a minute's silence for the tournament's anti-racism campaign.

And here's one final reminder of the two squads...

Not sure what the entrance music is but it sounds like something you'd hear in a Temple Bar rock bar. Irish violins are being screamed over by what sounds like an American emo. Not my genre.

Anyway... that means the players are arriving on to the field...

Loughborough Lightning's Talling will start in the second row for her senior England debut, while Abbie Ward and Marlie Packer are set for their first appearances in almost a year.

Ellie Kildunne will play her first international XVs game since the win over Ireland in the 2018 Women's Six Nations.

"Earning a first cap is always a special moment. Morwenna has excelled in training and club matches and we feel thoroughly deserves her opportunity," said Middleton.

"Despite a number of injuries, we have real depth to our squad.

"We're all pleased to see Harriet Millar-Mills back playing regularly after lengthy injury lay-offs and know the quality the likes of Alex Matthews and Helena Rowland bring."

That strength in depth sees 18-year-old second-rower Morwenna Talling handed her debut.

Maggie Alphonsi, in her role as a television analyst, says the teenager is a "specimen" and more than ready to step up to intnernational level.

Rocky Clark
Former England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra

The strength in depth in England nowadays is magical.

There are so many good players coming through and injured captain Sarah Hunter is there giving her advice on the sideline.

There were no other positive tests among the England squad and no-one else was forced to isolate because they had come into close contact with Hunt.

The weekend's other two Six Nations matches - Wales v Scotland and France v Ireland - have been postponed because of coronavirus.

"While we're understandably disappointed for Natasha, the health and safety of all players and staff members is paramount," said head coach Simon Middleton.

"Claudia is a fantastic replacement and the game gives her a chance to impress from the start.

"After a tough year for everyone, we're grateful to be preparing for international rugby again and targeting a Grand Slam."

As we said earlier, this is the only match taking place this weekend after the others were cancelled because of positive coronavirus tests.

Thankfully, Natasha Hunt's own positive test did not have a similar outcome on this match.

Italy head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico: “The match against England will be a great opportunity for us to measure our game and our attitude on the pitch, for which we are confident as always.“We have calmly analysed the match against Ireland and we have seen a lack of precision in some phases of the game that we will certainly want to improve starting this Sunday.

"We will also try to be more aggressive and more effective with our tackling.”

Italy are seeking their second win of the tournament but it will be a big ask against a strong England side.

Here's who's going to have a go for the Azzurre...

Already without captain Sarah Hunter because of a hamstring injury, England suffered another blow when scrum-half Natasha Hunt was ruled out after a positive coronavirus test.

The Gloucester-Hartpury captain, 31, will isolate for 10 days before a seven-day return-to-play programme.

That means Wasps' Claudia MacDonald will start at scrum-half, while Leanne Riley replaces her on the bench after being added to the squad.