Summary

  • England score five tries to secure bonus-point win and go top of the standings

  • But Ireland can win title without bonus-point if they beat France by seven points or more

  • France can claim the title with a bonus-point victory and a winning margin of 32

  • Scrum-half Ben Youngs scores two tries as he celebrates 100th England cap

  • Jamie George try on his 50th cap, Tom Curry and Henry Slade score in second half

  • Jake Polledri scores in corner as hosts restrict England to 10-5 half-time lead

  1. Postpublished at 81 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    You certainly feel like England's leaders are well aware of the situation. There's a little bit of hurry up and a bit of pace about what England are trying to do at the moment.

  2. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    We're about to tick into the red and Dunn has the ball in his hand on the touchline. A big introduction here for the England debutant... his side's last chance for another score...

  3. Postpublished at 79 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    Tom Dunn is on! Phew. Must have been a little worried there that the clock was against him.

    The Bath man is on for Jamie George, who has been excellent on his 50th cap.

  4. Postpublished at 78 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The approach that Ireland will have to go into the game against France with has now changed significantly because it is about winning the game.

    If England score another try then Ireland are chasing and their mindset will be that they'll have to chase the game.

    France weren't as scincilating as when the Six Nations started last weekend, but I think they are favourites to beat Ireland.

  5. Postpublished at 77 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    As professional from England as you would expect. Eddie Jones' side look robust as they see out the final few minutes, perhaps hoping to grab another try to round things off.

    Bath hooker Tom Dunn is stripped off on the touchline and ready to come on for his debut. Is the clock ticking against him??

  6. Postpublished at 75 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    Ben Youngs' 100th cap for England couldn't have gone much better really. The 31-year-old scrum-half went off a few minutes ago and gets the player of the match award to go with his two tries.

  7. Postpublished at 74 mins

    Italy 5-34 England

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC 5 Radio Live

    I wonder if these missed conversions from Owen Farrell are going to cost England the title?

  8. As it standspublished at 73 mins

    And this how the Six Nations table stands after Slade's try...

    .Image source, .
  9. try

    Trypublished at 72 mins

    Italy 5-34 England (try Slade, missed con Farrell)

    Right on cue, Henry Slade climbs over the line for England's fifth try of the evening.

    Nice exchange from the Exeter centre and Ben Earl, who picks up Owen Farrell's grubber kick and pops it off to Slade to go over.

    It is another tricky conversion attempt for Farrell from the touchline and again he can't find his accuracy. Not ideal when this could all come down to points difference...

  10. Postpublished at 71 mins

    Italy 5-29 England

    England top of the table as it stands, but would not be champions if Ireland earn any sort of win.

    The Red Rose need a few more points to increase their points difference....

  11. Postpublished at 70 mins

    Italy 5-29 England

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC 5 Radio Live

    England have done their bit. It's not been convincing, it's been scrappy but so far England have done what they needed to do.

  12. 'A brilliant finish'published at 69 mins

    Italy 5-29 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC 5 Radio Live

    It's a great maul to start with. The Italians didn't fold the defender round, over the touchline, and Tom Curry sneaked round the corner and it's a brilliant finish.

  13. Missed conversionpublished at 68 mins

    Italy 5-29 England

    Owen Farrell can't add the extra two points, though. The England captain rattles the post from the touchline.

  14. try

    Trypublished at 67 mins

    Italy 5-29 England (Curry)

    They've got it! England have got the bonus-point try!

    Jonny Hill plucks the ball from the line-out, setting up England possession in the Italian 22.

    Tom Curry nips in on the blindside to nab the ball at dummy half and race round the right side of the Italian defence to score England's fourth try.

    Over to you then Ireland...

    England's Tom Curry celebrates scoring a try against ItalyImage source, Getty Images
  15. 'England's backline has been lacklustre'published at 66 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Owen Farrell has been crabbing across the field and giving the opportunity to Italy to take the space away. England have looked really quite lacklustre in the backline.

  16. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Anyway... eyes back on the action. Fifteen minutes for England to get over the Italian line one more time.

    Stuart wins England a penalty and Farrell kicks deep into touch...

  17. Postpublished at 63 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Feel like we've taken a trip back to 1980s America. Bath prop Will Stuart comes on for England, taking the number of mullet haircuts in the away side to two. No place in 2020 for the mullet, I'd suggest.

  18. 'England need pace in the game'published at 62 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England want the ball in play, regardless of who has possession of it, because Italy are going to tire. They will be absolutely shattered with 10 or 15 minutes to go. It's all nice and easy for Italy at the moment, strolling up to take the line-out, everything is at a snail's pace, they'll get their breath back and bring some replacements on. England need pace in the game.

  19. Postpublished at 61 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Spirited from the Italians for sure, but do they have that added bit of quality to deny England a bonus-point win?

    A few replacements enter the fray to help them. Hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi, Pietro Ceccarelli and David Sisi come on for the home side.

  20. Postpublished at 59 mins

    Italy 5-24 England

    Moments later, the Italians are left deflated like a cheap balloon when England stall their momentum inside the away 22.

    And just in case there isn't enough aggression on the pitch, Eddie Jones throws on Ellis Genge. Fuel on the fire...