Summary

  • England start bid for sixth Six Nations title in a row with emphatic win in Parma

  • England number eight Sarah Beckett sent off in first half following bunker review for illegal 'crocodile roll' tackle

  • Forwards Hannah Botterman and Abbie Ward score tries in scrappy first half

  • Ellie Kildunne scores two of six England tries in one-sided second half

  • Captain Marlie Packer celebrates 100th England cap

  1. Red card - Sarah Beckettpublished at 16 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Oh my.

    Both captains are called in and referee Aurelie Groizeleau explains that England number eight Sarah Beckett's clear-out on Italy centre Michela Sillari - who has now gone off injured - was a high degree of danger with low mitigation. The bunker review means her yellow card is upgraded to red.

    England are down to 14 for the match.

    Media caption,

    Women's Six Nations 2024: England's Sarah Beckett sent off against Italy after review

  2. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Here we go.

    England have their first successful line-out and the ensuing maul gets them to just outside Italy's 22.

  3. Postpublished at 15:18 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy 0-0 England

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    These are the moments that are important for Italy.

    We know England will grow into the game, but when Italy get opportunities near England's 22 they need to capitalise.

    Italy have to complete more of their opportunities.

  4. Postpublished at 13 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Italy are moving the ball quickly but England's line speed is making that dangerous.

    This time it's Jess Breach who scuppers the hosts' plans. England have a scrum inside their own half.

  5. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Ellie Kilduune of England passes the ball under pressure Michela SillariImage source, Getty Images

    It's not been the fastest of starts from either side. Twelve minutes have slid by with Beckett's yellow card being the only event of note.

  6. Sin-bin - Sarah Beckettpublished at 11 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    That's a yellow card for Sarah Beckett for a dangerous clear-out.

    It's going to be reviewed too - so it may yet be a red.

  7. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    The television match official is taking a look at England number eight Sarah Beckett's work on the floor.

  8. 'Rigoni looks dangerous'published at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy 0-0 England

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    It's scrappy watching this now, but both teams have an intent of wanting to play.

    Italy wil be pleased with the opening minutes, they have sorted their breakdown out and Beatrice Rigoni looks dangerous with the ball in hand.

  9. Postpublished at 11 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Italy put on a great show as they whizz the ball from left to right.

    They can't make it far, though, and all of a sudden it's England's Abby Dow on her way down the right wing.

    It's scrappy from England and we have a little break after a knock-on.

  10. Postpublished at 10 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Italy start to make some headway, with a few neatly-timed offloads helping them break England's line.

    The returning Abbie Ward tries for an intercept but can't quite make it stick so we'll have another scrum.

  11. Postpublished at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy 0-0 England

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    Italy are moving the ball getting into the wide channels. What they need to be careful about is wing Abby Dow at the breakdown, she is very strong.

    Italy need to send more numbers to the wide channels if they want to exploit the channels.

  12. Postpublished at 7 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    England is tackled by Jacopo Botturi of ItalyImage source, Getty Images

    England have a prime opportunity with a line-out outside Italy's 22 but it's a big overthrow by Lark Atkin-Davies.

    Instead, it's an Italy scrum on their 22. Understandbly, they get the ball out as quickly as they can.

  13. Postpublished at 6 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Italy hold England up for a moment, but are quickly driven back again.

    The Azzurre will be wanting to avoid scrums at all costs at this rate.

  14. Postpublished at 5 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Uh oh, here comes another scrum...

  15. Postpublished at 15:05 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy 0-0 England

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    It's alright from Italy so far.

    England had the most dominant scrum in the 2023 Six Nations, Italy are getting the ball in and away from the scrum - it is a good use of the set-piece.

  16. Postpublished at 4 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Ouch.

    How did Italy hold on to that? England make easy work of shoving Italy back in the scrum.

    The hosts do keep hold of the ball though and win another penalty. Beatrice Rigoni kicks to touch.

  17. Postpublished at 3 mins

    Italy 0-0 England

    Jess Breach offers some light challenge to Italy's defence early on, but the England wing is dragged into touch.

    The Azzurre win the line-out and manage to reclaim their clearing kick before an England knock-on gives the hosts a scrum in their half.

  18. Kick-offpublished at 15:01 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy 0-0 England

    We are under way in Italy!

  19. Postpublished at 14:59 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy v England (15:00 GMT)

    The sun is shining, the jolly Italian anthem is complete.

    Time for some rugby.

  20. Postpublished at 14:58 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March

    Italy v England (15:00 GMT)

    England players do their best with the national anthem, but obviously don't have much back-up in Parma.

    Now time for Italy's anthem, which, let's face it, is quite fun.