Summary

  • Alex Mitchell's 45th-minute try helps England beat Italy at Stadio Olimpico

  • England trailed 17-14 at half-time as Italy impressed with two tries

  • Steve Borthwick's side dominated scrappy second half but missed out on bonus point

  • Monty Ioane scored late try to earn Italy losing bonus point

  • Debutant flanker Ethan Roots named man of the match

  1. Postpublished at 30 mins

    Italy 17-8 England

    England instantly respond as they go in search of a try. Ollie Chessum is held up and into the corner they go from the penalty.

    PenaltyImage source, Getty Images
  2. 'Basic mistakes from England'published at 14:49 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Italy 17-8 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    England are so tight in defence - Italy went to town!

    Textbook from the Italians, under pressure and they got outside England - brilliant play from Italy and it is basic mistakes from England, exploited by Italy.

  3. try

    Converted try - Italy 17-8 Englandpublished at 26 mins

    Tommaso Allan (con Allan)

    The classic Johnny Sexton loop opens up England's defence. Juan Ignacio Brex produces the soft hands, before clever link play sends Tommaso Allan in untouched.

    Really impressive so far from Italy.

    Italy Try by Tommaso AllanImage source, Getty Images
  4. Postpublished at 23 mins

    Italy 10-8 England

    England are starting to get into their groove now. But George Ford's attacking kick is cleaned up by Italy.

    Forcing it a little bit in the opening period.

    George Ford kicking the ballImage source, Getty Images
  5. 'Great attacking play'published at 14:41 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Italy 10-8 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Lovely try from England playing from right-to-left.

    Henry Slade going deep into the defensive line before pulling the ball back to Tommy Freeman.

    Freeman is like a ghost behind Slade, he suddenly appears - great attacking play.

  6. try

    Try - Italy 10-8 Englandpublished at 20 mins

    Elliot Daly

    There you go John!

    Tommy Freeman produces the magic as he snakes his way through the Italian defence. The Northampton Saint then produces a superb offload for Elliot Daly to dive over.

    A glimpse of the new era.

    Eliot Daily scoring a tryImage source, Getty Images
  7. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    This wasn't in the script for the new beginning.

    John

  8. Postpublished at 17 mins

    Italy 10-3 England

    Elliot Daly has been popping up all over the pitch so far. An indication for Steve Borthwick's wingers to get involved.

    Again, England kick the ball away.

    Eliot Daily running with the ballImage source, Getty Images
  9. 'Take them points!'published at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Italy 10-3 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Test match. A kickable penalty, take them points!

  10. Penalty - Italy 10-3 Englandpublished at 16 mins

    George Ford

    Off the post and in. They all count.

    George Ford kicking a penaltyImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 14 mins

    Italy 10-0 England

    England win a penalty and George Ford asks for the tee.

  12. 'Nothing complicated from Italy'published at 14:33 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Italy 10-0 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Well we wondered what would have come of England's defensive reboot, but it looks like the same old story.

    Nothing complicated from Italy, Ollie Chessum came flying out the line and then a superb offload.

  13. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    England look nervous in these opening exchanges.

    Dave, Barnsley

  14. try

    Converted try - Italy 10-0 Englandpublished at 12 mins

    Alessandro Garbisi (con Tommaso Allan)

    It was coming.

    Lorenzo Cannone breaks clear and his offload bounces into Alessandro Garbisi, who runs under the posts.

    The perfect start.

    Italy tryImage source, Getty Images
  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:29 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301 231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Italy have started very well, looking much the hungrier and more combative of the two sides.

    Andrew

  16. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Italy 3-0 England

    Paolo Garbisi sends a cross-field kick into the arms of Monty Ioane, but Tommy Freeman smashes him out of play.

    Still all Italy...

  17. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Italy 3-0 England

    Former England head coach Eddie Jones has been spotted in the crowd. He is now the boss of Japan and will cross paths with England again in June.

  18. Postpublished at 8 mins

    Italy 3-0 England

    Well, so far England do seem quicker off the line in defence. But maybe too quick.

    England DefenceImage source, Getty Images
  19. Postpublished at 14:23 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February

    Italy 3-0 England

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    On England's new defence coach Felix Jones...

    Interesting to see how England have changed their defensive system.

    England needed a lift in that department and Kevin Sinfield came in, but could not crack the code.

  20. Penalty - Italy 3-0 Englandpublished at 5 mins

    Tommaso Allan

    Lovely strike and well deserved.