Summary

  • England start Women's Six Nations campaign with bonus-point win against Italy

  • England scored five first-half tries in York, but managed only one score after half-time

  • Six Nations a key part of England's preparations for home Rugby World Cup in August and September

  • Scotland and France beat Wales and Ireland respectively in opening games on Saturday

Live Reporting

Mantej Mann

  1. England 14-0 Italy

    Lucy Packer looks to move the ball swiftly from the breakdown but the referee is in the way and we'll have a pause to proceedings.

    England were lining up on the left.

  2. England 14-0 Italy

    England are over for a third time but they are adjudged to be held up over the line.

    The lead remains at 14 points... For now.

  3. 'It's hard for Italy to jackal'

    England 14-0 Italy

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    Italy are lucky. England are carrying so well and it is taking two or three players to get them down but because they are ending up on the other side it's making it really hard for Italy to jackal.

  4. England 14-0 Italy

    England carry the ballGetty Images

    The white shirts continue to pour forward and Italy are under huge pressure.

    The Azzurri try to clear their lines but the box-kick doesn't travel very far and England have the ball again.

  5. 'It was all from the first phase'

    England 14-0 Italy

    Katy Daley-Mclean
    Former England captain on BBC Two

    It's a beautiful first phase. Emily Scarratt starts it. England are very dominant in the scrum phase.

  6. Venner on fire after five years away

    England 14-0 Italy

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at LNER Community Stadium, York

    Not a bad return after five years!

    Gloucester-Hartpury wing Mia Venner last played for England as a 17-year-old in 2020 and grabs the opening try.

    Then for the second try, Venner makes a bust down the wing.

    She is on fire and wants to stay this time as a Red Rose.

  7. try

    Converted Try - England 14-0 Italy

    Emily Scarratt (con Emma Sing)

    Try number 55 for Emily Scarratt in an England shirt.

    Mia Venner looks like she is in to double her tally on only her second Test appearance.

    She is hauled down brilliantly by a last-gasp tap-tackle by Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi.

    England recycle the ball, though, and Scarratt crashes over from close range. Emma Sing adds another conversion.

    Emily Scarratt scoresGetty Images

  8. 'Special moment for Venner'

    England 7-0 Italy

    Sara Orchard
    Rugby commentator on BBC Two

    It didn't take long and a special moment for Mia Venner today. It is only her second cap today.

  9. England 7-0 Italy

    Kat Merchant
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Emma Sing is so good off the tee. Nailing that one off the touchline is a good start to her kicking campaign this year.

  10. 'It's going to be difficult for Italy'

    England 7-0 Italy

    Brian Moore
    Former England hooker on BBC Two

    It's a simple game for England and if Italy don't work harder and close those gaps, it's going to be difficult for them.

  11. try

    Converted Try - England 7-0 Italy

    Mia Venner (con Emma Sing)

    'It didn't take long!' - Venner scores early try to open the scoring for England

    It was coming.

    Mia Venner makes a clever break close to the touchline before finishing off England's opening try on the other side of the field a few phases later.

    Her Gloucester-Hartpury club-mate Emma Sing adds the conversion.

  12. England 0-0 Italy

    England, urged on by their vociferous home support, edge towards the line.

    Could this be the opening try?

  13. England 0-0 Italy

    The Azzurri retain the ball from the kick-off and throw it through the hands before the attempted offload ends up in touch.

    A let off for England.

  14. Kick-off

    England 0-0 Italy

    After the anthems, Italy get us up and running in York...

    England anthemGetty Images

  15. MacDonald loving return

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at LNER Community Stadium, York

    Claudia MacDonald smilesGetty Images

    Caught the widest of smiles from Claudia MacDonald as she walked out and looked up at the crowd.

    The 29-year-old was ruled out of last year's Women's Six Nations after suffering a second neck injury in February 2024.

    She was key in England's run to the World Cup final in 2022, expect some of that class to return.

  16. Tune in!

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    BBC Two

    Remember, you can watch coverage of every match during the Women's Six Nations on the BBC.

    Today's game is live on BBC Two and right here by clicking on the play button at the top of this page.

    Head to the "Watch and listen" tab to listen to BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra commentary.

  17. An 'exciting' team selection

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    Kat Merchant
    2014 England World Cup winner on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    I was really excited when I saw the England teamsheet because they have really rolled the dice here.

    I love Mia Venner, she has been talking openly about wanting that second cap and it has been such a long time. When you look at it, every single player makes sense - they deserve that starting spot.

    It's going to be an exciting one.

  18. All set

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    Here we go then, both sets of players have made their way out onto the field.

    We're all set for the final game of the opening round of this year's Six Nations.

    But first, time for the anthems...

  19. Scarratt wants to play her part in England's 'big year'

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    Experienced centre Emily Scarratt wants to play her part in a "big year ahead" for England, with a home World Cup to come during August and September.

    The 35-year-old has appeared in each of the past four World Cups for the Red Roses, starring in the final when England beat Canada to win the competition in 2014.

    She will win her 117th England cap from outside centre against the Italians at outside centre this afternoon.

    Read more here.

    Emily ScarrattGetty Images

  20. Impact '25 in full swing

    England v Italy (15:00 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at LNER Community Stadium, York

    Impact 25

    Last April, the Rugby Football Union launched Impact '25 ahead of the Women's Rugby World Cup later this year.

    The programme aims to create opportunities for women and girls to get involved in rugby.

    The pitch beside LNER Community Stadium has been set up today with a load of fun rugby-themed games.

    Volunteers have been pulling over as many young children as they can to get involved and the queue was only getting bigger when I left it.

    At the end of this month, the RFU said £12.13m of government funding would have been pumped into growing the programme.

    Impact 25