'We'll come back stronger' - reaction after 14-player England thrash Italy

1. England start bid for sixth Six Nations title in a row with emphatic win in Parma
2. England number eight Sarah Beckett sent off in first half following bunker review for illegal 'crocodile roll' tackle
3. Forwards Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward score tries in scrappy first half
4. Ellie Kildunne scores two of six England tries in one-sided second half
5. Captain Marlie Packer celebrates 100th England cap

Another line-out steal from England.

Was that try the boost they needed to get going? It looks that way for Sadia Kabeya, who barrels her way through a few tacklers.

'Botterman nice and low'

Katy Daley-Mclean

Former England captain on BBC Two

Getty Images

Hannah Botterman has carried very well and she has been involved in a lot of England's good play.

It's the basics done well, Botterman nice and low!

Try - Italy 0-5 England

At last!

It's been tough for England, who are down to 14 players, but prop Hannah Botterman finally gets the Red Roses down to the tryline.

That was some gritty defence from Italy.

Zoe Harrison's conversion misses its mark.

Women's Six Nations 2024: Hannah Botterman scores try to give England lead over Italy

'Italy have done their homework'

Katy Daley-Mclean

Former England captain on BBC Two

Getty Images

Great defence from Italy.

England are driving in the maul, but Italy have done their homework and they are stopping it.

Italy are then forcing England into the wide channels.

Once again Helena Rowland pulls in a loose ball, but still England can't inch their way over the line.

The Red Roses were playing with advantage so we come back for a penalty and captain Marlie Packer fancies a scrum.

Get Involved

Getty Images

This is shocking from England. They look lost and out of ideas. If we play like this against France we have no chance. I’m glad Sarah Hunter feels positive as I don’t think the rest of us do at the moment!

Catie

The maul is so close to the tryline, but not close enough.

Right, here we go.

England line-out 5m from the tryline. Surely we're getting a try now.

'Better from England'

Katy Daley-Mclean

Former England captain on BBC Two

We saw England get into their stride then.

There was some big carries, Sadia Kabeya's carry started that and when England do carry they look a lot more comfortable.

Much better from England.

Helena Rowland does well to keep hold of a tricky pass and ups the pace of England's attack as the Red Roses head towards Italy's 22.

The visitors eventually win a penalty and Zoe Harrison kicks to touch.

Getty Images

England head coach John Mitchell promised speedy attack from his side before this one but we've seen more of that from Italy so far.

The Azzurre have been providing most of the excitement.

England win a turnover on the floor though, so we may be onto something now.

Or maybe not... Emily Scarratt's long pass to Jess Breach goes astray.

England have nabbed an Italian line-out.

Can they finally make something happen in Parma?

They're down to 14 women after Sarah Beckett's red card and it's all feeling a bit arduous.

'We have to problem-solve'

Sarah Hunter

Former England captain on BBC Two

We are sticking to the game-plan and we have to problem-solve, but we work for these scenarios.

We have to work on the final few inches to convert the opportunities we have.

Ooft.

A bit of excitement as Abby Dow chases her own kick down the right, but the ball spills into touch.

'England need some points on the board'

Katy Daley-Mclean

Former England captain on BBC Two

It was really good defensively from Italy. As we watched the maul, England were loose with the ball and Italy did well with the exit.

All Italy can do is win those little moments and make England play.

England need some points on the board.

England have opted to scrum with seven players after Sarah Beckett's red card.

They're still very much holding their own on Italy's 22.

England's trademark maul doesn't quite make the progress it usually would and somehow Italy manage to come away with the ball.

Big opportunity lost for the Red Roses.

Right, England have another chance to steady the ship with a line-out just over 5m out from the tryline.

Katy Daley-Mclean

Former England captain on BBC Two

Once the knee is on the ground the tackle is complete, but it didn't feel like Abbie Ward had stopped for the tackle to be complete!

No try

Getty Images

England are not having much fun in Parma.

An Abbie Ward try seemed like the perfect antidote to that red card but the returning lock is deemed to have made a double movement as she went over.