Slick then sloppy England fail to score for 40 minutes against Italy

[ASFN Admin]

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England ended the contest in the first half, but were below par after the break - Reuters/Jason Cairnduff

England 38 Italy 5​

It was a matter of when, not if, Red Roses would bloom in Yorkshire. Under greying skies they kicked off a pivotal year with a display of accuracy and precision against Italy to begin their Women’s Six Nations campaign in high-flying fashion.

Their second-half performance might have been found wanting – England crossed the whitewash five times in a ruthless first 40 minutes before experiencing a dip in intensity after the break – but with an experimental outfit they were still a class above a bedraggled Italy side who were bereft of ideas.

If John Mitchell’s first full year in charge was about nailing his best starting side and encouraging them to embrace uncertainty, the big focus of this championship will be about utilising his squad’s depth.

With a home World Cup on the horizon, there is a desire to evolve England’s positional flexibility in order to accommodate any injuries to key personnel that could arise in the build up to the tournament. Mitchell will have been satisfied with his side’s first-half demolition job, which ensured their victory never looked in doubt.

It's not taken England long to get off the mark!

Watch the Women's Six Nations live on the BBC.#W6N#SixNationspic.twitter.com/Lcm81Va2wc

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 23, 2025

From the get-go, England’s attack evoked a sense of artistry, a near-perfect blend of soft hands interchanged with thumping carries. Mia Venner, marking her first Test start in five years, was economical down her wing, playing a hand in both of the Red Roses’ opening scores, while Emma Sing, her Gloucester-Hartpury clubmate, underlined her international credentials with a solid performance at full-back.

Fittingly, she broke England’s scoring drought with two minutes remaining – 40 minutes after their previous try – as the hosts finished with a flourish.

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England’s Maddie Feaunati was player of the match - Getty Images/Nathan Stirk

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05:32 PM GMT​

Former England fly-half Katy Daley-Mclean on the BBC​

“Let’s not discredit Italy, they were very good and their defence was much better. But by England’s standards, in the second half it massively dropped. They could not keep hold of the ball and there were a lot of unforced errors.

“Italy caused problems, I do not think England played enough of a territory game, but they made England play. That was the big difference between the first and second halves. It was really clean and clear in the first half, but it became much more of a scrap and the breakdown was messy.”

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05:29 PM GMT​

Maggie Alphonsi on the BBC​

“There will be things that England say they need to work on, they have made changes and they are going to be a little bit rusty. That happens.

“But Italy, hats off to them, they stopped England scoring until the 79th minute in the second half. I was so impressed with their work at the breakdown, some of the things they did to stop England scoring tries.

“England perhaps should have had more tries, but at the same time England should still be happy that they have made these changes, it is Zoe Aldcroft’s first Six Nations as the leader - there are things to work on and they have got to build on it.”

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England are looking to win yet another Six Nations title in succession - Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

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05:23 PM GMT​

Ex England head coach Simon Middleton on the BBC​

“It was very frustrating [in the second half], but hats off to Italy, they were so tenacious in defence.

“I would be thrilled if I was the Italy coach with the attitude they showed. I think England just fell into the trap a little bit of pushing the game, lots of errors and you could see there were a lot of new combinations.”

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05:19 PM GMT​

John Mitchell talking to the BBC​

“It is our home country and we have a really exciting home World Cup coming up so it is important we embrace all of our communities and inspire young girls to play the game, and a great audience to follow this team.

“It was a good start with some new combinations, we built really good pressure. We lost a bit of momentum at the breakdown and our execution probably let us down a bit, in terms of building pressure in the second-half.

“I thought we stayed on top really well in the first-half, we tightened them up pretty quickly and were able to stretch them with our width. The line-out was very good as well and I thought we were pretty contestable on the floor and in the air.

“We are excited by next week. The Red Roses deserve to play in great stadia so to play at the Principality Stadium is huge.”

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Preparations are ramping for a home World Cup for England later this year - Morgan Harlow/Getty Images

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05:15 PM GMT​

Claudia MacDonald speaking to the BBC​

“Today felt really special [after all the injuries]. It feels amazing to be part of this squad, which has a great culture and environment. It feels surreal to be back out there. I felt like a new player with the way we are playing progressing and the level of detail, which is immense. This team has definitely progressed. We felt a little too many errors creep in [in the second half] which we have to fix.

“We knew it was going to take some time to gel so we will give ourselves time. There are a few things we need to look at and get better at. We need to improve and we will. Any stadium we play at is amazing. The joy and energy the fans bring is amazing. It will be amazing to play in the Principality Stadium.”

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England travel to Wales in round two - Jason Cairnduff/Reuters

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05:11 PM GMT​

England captain Zoe Aldcroft speaking post-match​

“In the first-half we came out firing and we created a lot of momentum, but in the second-half, we needed to keep a bit more pressure on and be a bit more clinical in finishing our sets.

“We like our kicking game and have some really good wingers that can get after the ball. Italy gained some good momentum in their carries and maybe our defence could have been a bit better.

“We are excited to recharge this week and then play against Wales at the Principality Stadium, where we have never played before.”

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05:07 PM GMT​

Table after round one​

1. England- 5 points
2. France- 4 points
3. Scotland- 4 points
4. Wales- 1 point
5. Ireland- 0 points
6. Italy- 0 points

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05:05 PM GMT​

The thoughts of the player of the match Maddie Feaunati​

“They definitely bought it to us and we expected that. We will review and go out there again next weekend. It is all about opportunity. We are ready to go and the depth in this squad is insane. I am super excited to keep learning from this group of players. We need to play in the moment and just take it game by game.”

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England get their campaign up and running with a win - Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

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04:59 PM GMT​

Round one results​

Yesterday:

Ireland 15-27 France

Scotland 24-21 Wales

Today:

England 38-5 Italy

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04:58 PM GMT​

Stat!​

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04:58 PM GMT​

Full time​

There is the final whistle and England begin their Six Nations campaign with a comfortable 38-5 win. Not a great second half performance but the job is done and the bonus point is in the bag.

A winning start in York as England run in six tries for a bonus-point success pic.twitter.com/hbusZOc8Ar

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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04:54 PM GMT​

TRY! Sing over in the corner​

Finally England have a try in this second half. After a number of physical carries and quick reloads from rucks, they spot numbers down the blindside on the left and Scarratt offloads outside to Sing, who goes over in the corner. Sing cannot convert her try though as she drags her effort wide of the left post.

A try in the corner to cap off a great afternoon for Emma Sing #GuinnessW6N | #ENGvITA | #RedRoses | @emmasing01pic.twitter.com/wr97LNEEFB

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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04:53 PM GMT​

77 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

England waste another opportunity inside the Italy 22 as an attempted grubber kick ahead is blocked.

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04:50 PM GMT​

75 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

England have it inside the Italian 22 but Botterman knocks on in contact. She ran a good line and made good ground but dropped as she went down towards the ground. That probably sums up England’s second half.

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04:48 PM GMT​

73 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Maybe I typed my last post too soon. Italy have been so much better this second half. They have a bit of fight about them and have enjoyed some decent spells of possession. Silvia Turani, the Harlequins prop, has been a workhorse. England will be disappointed that they haven’t scored for over half an hour.

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04:46 PM GMT​

NO TRY!​

There was a forward pass in the build-up so the try is chalked off. It was a fair way back but that was the right call.

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04:46 PM GMT​

TRY! Kabeya gets England’s sixth​

Bern carries powerfully and bulldozes her way deep into the Italian 22. England then ship it out to the right wing and Kabeya cuts inside. She manages to find her way through a few tackles and goes over for the try. However the TMO is checking a possible forward pass...

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04:43 PM GMT​

70 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Yet another visit into the England 22 in this second half for Italy. Can they take advantage this time and show some cutting edge? No they cannot as England force a turnover and are then given a penalty.

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04:42 PM GMT​

68 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

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04:41 PM GMT​

67 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

It has been a sloppy second half so far from England, which I am sure John Mitchell will not be happy with.

Kildunne is on for England, much to the delight of the home crowd. The lady from Yorkshire is on in York!

! #GuinnessW6N@RedRosesRugbypic.twitter.com/zEtgbEldq5

— Guinness Women's Six Nations (@Womens6Nations) March 23, 2025

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04:37 PM GMT​

64 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy are penalised for offside from a kick ahead so England can kick towards the Italian 22. A few phases later though they knock on and we are still pointless in this second half.

Bitonci is on at scrum-half for the visitors and she is the first Italian male or female to play for the country born in the year 2006. 2006!

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04:34 PM GMT​

62 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy make another visit in this second half into the England 22 but knock on. They have had their chances in this half but have not been clinical enough. Realistically the game was gone by half time but they could have make significant inroads into England’s lead had they shown more cutting edge.

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04:32 PM GMT​

61 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Sing makes a great break from halfway down the right as she breaks a tackle and makes it to the edge of the Italy 22. Rowland then attempts to chip the ball ahead but it is charged down by the Italians.

That will be Rowland’s last play as she is replaced by Shekells for her debut. Ward and Campbell are also on in the pack, replacing Galligan and Cokayne.

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England are looking to win another Six Nations title - Morgan Harlow/Getty Images

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04:30 PM GMT​

59 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Referee Precious Pazani isn't mic'd up in York. Strange silence every time she goes to TMO and crowd falls flat. Disappointing to see the tech hasn't been rolled out across all @Womens6Nations stadiums given the innovation has been such a popular hit in the men's game.

— Fi Tomas (@fi_tomas_) March 23, 2025

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04:29 PM GMT​

58 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy win a penalty as England are pinged for holding on. England are certainly not playing at the level they were in the first half and the Italians are growing in confidence. The visitors just need to take more opportunities and be more clinical and that does not help as England steal possession from an Italy lineout.

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04:26 PM GMT​

56 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

England make a change in the pack as Kabeya is coming on for former captain M Packer. They disrupt the Italy lineout and have possession inside the Italian 22.

England get to within five metres of the line but they are penalised so Italy can clear their lines.

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04:24 PM GMT​

55 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy are caught offside and England have a penalty advantage. As Sing charges down the right into the Italian 22 it is advantage over. Botterman then carries powerfully and England are deep inside the 22. The ball is shipped out to the left wing and Feaunati tries to go over in the corner but she is bundled into touch.

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04:23 PM GMT​

53 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy are penalised for holding on on halfway and England will be able to send a kick towards the Italian 22.

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04:21 PM GMT​

51 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy are in possession again inside the England 22 but they knock on. They have entered the England 22 on a few occasions already in this second half but not got any reward.

England make a double change at prop as Botterman and Bern replace Clifford and Muir.

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04:19 PM GMT​

50 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Inexplicably the TMO does not step in. We saw clear contact with the head but there is no punishment. That was at least a yellow-card offence yet nothing is given.

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04:18 PM GMT​

49 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

The game is gone for the visitors but they are just starting to play with some confidence. They have possession inside the England 22 but they waste the chance as they inexplicably chip ahead and England dot down behind their line for a goal-line drop out.

The TMO needs to step in for a high hit on Duca by Feaunati. Clear head-on-head contact and it should be reviewed.

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04:15 PM GMT​

NO TRY!​

Stefan breaks from the back of the maul and is stopped just short of the line. A few phases later though Italy will not be denied as number eight Sgorbini burrows her way over from close range for her second try of the game. Initially it looked doubtful as to whether she had got to the line but we see the right angle and she clearly got to the line. Rigoni misses her kick to the right.

However, after the conversion is missed, the TMO is stepping in. At the lineout Veronese obstructs as the jumper lands so the try is disallowed.

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04:11 PM GMT​

45 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Italy look like they are going to score but Granzotto is held up over the line. Good defence from England to hold her up but Italy will feel disappointed they did not convert that chance into a try.

From the goal-line drop out Rowland kicks it out on the full. Huge mistake and Italy will have a five-metre lineout.

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04:10 PM GMT​

43 mins: England 33 Italy 5​

Rowland picks out Aitchison with a crossfield kick on halfway but the whistle goes as Muir had strayed offside so the penalty is awarded to Italy. They kick to the edge of the England 22.

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04:06 PM GMT​

Second half​

We are back under way.

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04:03 PM GMT​

Get your fix​

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04:01 PM GMT​

Round one fixtures​

Yesterday:

Ireland 15-27 France

Scotland 24-21 Wales

Today:

England 33-5 Italy HT

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03:55 PM GMT​

HT verdict​

You can’t even call this England side a ‘B’ team, because that would be an insult. Mitchell is keen to push the line that he has “two sides operating as one” and that’s what we’ve seen so far. It’s been an utterly dominant first half from the hosts, whose attack has been the picture of fluidity. Maddie Feaunati is having a stormer as a big ball-carrying No 8. You have to wonder, though, how much England can take from training games. It’s all very well and good pushing the narrative about wanting to improve, but how can you when you’re not properly being tested? The only blot on their copybook is perhaps letting Italy maul over the line.

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03:51 PM GMT​

Half time​

That is it for the first half and England lead 33-5 at the break with the bonus point already secured for the hosts.

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03:49 PM GMT​

TRY! Cokayne punishes Italian mistake​

That is a gift for the England hooker. The throw five metres out from their own line goes too long and it falls straight into the hands of Cokayne at the back of the lineout and there is no stopping her from a few metres out. Sing lands the conversion and England lead 33-5.

Amy Cokayne is not going to let an opportunity like this go begging #ENGvITA | #GuinnessW6N | #RedRosespic.twitter.com/qXdeoQYZWc

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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03:49 PM GMT​

37 mins: England 26 Italy 5​

After a series of quick rucks and good handling, Venner thinks she might be in for her second right in the corner but she is tackled really well into touch.

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03:47 PM GMT​

NO TRY!​

England think they have their fifth of the afternoon but this will not stand as Feaunati drops the ball over the line. It was a good tackle from Muzzo to dislodge it but Feaunati should have shown more care with the ball.

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03:45 PM GMT​

36 mins: England 26 Italy 5​

Muir carries powerfully deep into the Italian 22 and England are knocking on the door once more...

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03:44 PM GMT​

35 mins: England 26 Italy 5​

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03:44 PM GMT​

TRY! Italy get their first from a rolling maul​

They win the lineout, set the maul and roll their way over. Italian number eight Sgorbini is the one to score. Rigoni misses a fairly simple conversion to the right.

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Italy on the scoresheet - Paul Ellis/Getty Images

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03:41 PM GMT​

33 mins: England 26 Italy 0​

England concede another penalty as they are caught offside. They will need to be a little careful here as they will be not far away from a yellow card if they continue to concede penalties inside their 22.

Italy are back up to 15 as Gurioli is back on.

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03:39 PM GMT​

32 mins: England 26 Italy 0​

Italy are awarded a penalty of the England 10-metre line, which they kick into the England 22. Italy have barely had possession inside England’s half and this is their first visit to the England 22.

Italy are awarded another penalty as M Packer is pinged for not rolling away. No thought of three points as Italy go back into the corner.

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03:36 PM GMT​

TRY! MacDonald secures England’s bonus point​

Just before the half-hour mark, England have their bonus-point try. Aitchison pulls off a clever crossfield kick to pick out MacDonald on the left wing. She cuts inside and goes over for the try. Sing’s conversion misses just to the left but England lead 26-0.

That's the bonus point in the bag for England.

Watch LIVE on BBC Two & iPlayer.#W6N#SixNationspic.twitter.com/4D8pvMgC7I

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) March 23, 2025

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03:36 PM GMT​

28 mins: England 21 Italy 0​

England have possession just on the edge of the Italian 22 and Aitchison’s pass is knocked down by Rigoni. The referee decides it was a deliberate knock-on and England are given the penalty, which is kicked into the corner.

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03:30 PM GMT​

23 mins: England 21 Italy 0​

Italy have been forced into a change in the backs as fly-half Madia is going off. She is replaced by Stevanin.

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03:29 PM GMT​

PENALTY TRY!​

Italian hooker Gurioli is adjudged to have come in from the side and changed bind illegally and it prevented a probable try so Gurioli is sent to the bin and England are awarded a penalty try.

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03:28 PM GMT​

NO TRY!​

Galligan drops the ball just as she drops to the ground. However Italy could still be in trouble...

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03:24 PM GMT​

TRY! Galligan adds England’s third​

Italy can do nothing to stop the England maul from rolling towards the line and it is Galligan who is the lucky one to dot down at the back of the rolling maul. But will this stand?

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03:24 PM GMT​

21 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

Italy’s pack is dominated once more at scrum time but they get the ball out just in time. Stefan takes it down the blindside but her offload ends up going into touch to gift England a lineout.

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03:22 PM GMT​

20 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

England make good ground from their own half all the way into the Italian 22 but the hosts knock on as L Packer dropped the ball in contact. England got off to a rapid start but have had a few handling errors and conceded a few penalties in the last 10 minutes.

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03:17 PM GMT​

16 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

Once again the England scrum dominates but Feaunati picks and goes from the base. England get to within five metres of the Italian line but are penalised for holding on, which allows Italy to clear their lines.

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03:15 PM GMT​

15 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

England have possession inside the Italy 22 but the ball hits the referee so we will restart with a scrum to the home side.

It’s been the start we’ve come to expect from England. Mia Venner, on her first Test appearance in five years, has scored one and been involved in another. Rowland and Aitchison are working sublimely as a 10-12 axis. It’s been the fulcrum of England’s attack so far and a joy to watch. Italy already look a bit bedraggled.

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03:13 PM GMT​

13 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

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03:12 PM GMT​

12 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

Italy make a mess of their lineout and England have it. They shift it wide to the right into the hands of Venner, who is brought down just shy of the line. England are then held up over the line and Italy escape.

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03:11 PM GMT​

11 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

England are just five metres from the Italian line but they are pinged for not releasing.

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03:10 PM GMT​

10 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

England win a penalty on the Italian 10-metre line as the visitors are punished for not rolling away. England kick into the Italy 22.

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03:09 PM GMT​

9 mins: England 14 Italy 0​

Italy need to settle or else this game will very quickly get away from them.

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03:08 PM GMT​

TRY! Scarratt scores her 55th try in an England shirt​

England do not need the penalty advantage on halfway. They move the ball wide to the right and Venner looks like she might sprint down the touchline to score but Italian full-back Minuzzi pulls off a brilliant tap-tackle. England recycle and Italy cannot stop Scarratt from powering over from close range. Sing makes it two from two from the tee and England have 14 points before the 10-minute mark.

Emily Scarratt crosses for the #RedRoses second try of the afternoon after a fine break from Mia Venner#ENGvITA | #GuinnessW6N | @EmilyScarrattpic.twitter.com/VdIMthahXt

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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03:06 PM GMT​

6 mins: England 7 Italy 0​

England’s pack is already dominating at scrum time and they have a penalty advantage...

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03:04 PM GMT​

TRY! Venner over for England’s first score of the afternoon​

England take advantage of their first visit into the Italy 22. They are just a few metres shy of the Italian line and they ship the ball wide to the left, where Venner cannot be prevented from going over. This is Venner’s first England cap in five years so that will be a special moment for the winger. Sing nails the conversion and England already lead 7-0.

What a moment for Mia Venner as she goes over for her first #RedRoses try #ENGvITA | #GuinnessW6N | pic.twitter.com/jsRXegZKbf

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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03:03 PM GMT​

3 mins: England 0 Italy 0​

England initially go backwards but move the ball right into the hands of Venner and they find themselves deep into the Italian 22...

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03:02 PM GMT​

2 mins: England 0 Italy 0​

Italy are in possession inside their own half but the handling is loose in the backs. The ball goes to ground after a loose pass and then the ball is knocked on just inside their own 22 which gifts England a scrum, which is nearly 60kg heavier than Italy’s.

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03:00 PM GMT​

Kick-off​

We are under way.

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02:57 PM GMT​

Reminder of the teams​

England starting XV: Sing; Venner, Scarratt, Aitchison, MacDonald; Rowland, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ives Campion, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Feaunati.

Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Bern, Ward, Kabeya, Robinson, Shekells, Kildunne.

Italy starting XV: Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, D’Inca, Rigoni, Granzotto; Madia, Stefan (capt); Turani, Gurioli, Seye, Fedrighi, Duca, Veronese, Locatelli, Sgorbini.

Replacements: Vecchini, Stecca, Maris, Tounesi, Franco, Bitonci, Stevanin, Capomaggi.

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02:55 PM GMT​

Anthem time​

Both sides emerge from the tunnel in York and it is time for the national anthems. “Il Canto degli Italiani” followed by “God Save The King”. I am a big fan of the Italian national anthem I have to say. What a way to get you motivated for the match.

Zoe Aldcroft leads out the Red Roses in her first game as captain.#ENGvITA | #GuinnessW6N | #WearTheRose | @O2pic.twitter.com/KK8rQ44TE7

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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02:53 PM GMT​

England head coach John Mitchell speaking to the BBC​

“It is important to be excited by the World Cup but this tournament is very important to us so we respect it and it is a great opportunity to get 2025 started.

“We have 13 Test matches in which we have to earn the right on to go all the way so it is important to back the squad and give them all purpose and get them excited about going forward.

“I want to see us build pressure on the opposition so you will see some evolvement from our game from last year. We will bring a bit more balance and then I want to see us come through some difficult periods as well.

“I think you will see a bit more kicking, and when it is time to find grass, we will do that. The girls are excited about our evolvement and we will ask a lot of questions of the opposition.

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England look to win the Six Nations once more - Paul Ellis/Getty Images

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02:49 PM GMT​

Going through their paces​

Hitting them well #ENGvITA pic.twitter.com/HojrWxkxzh

— Red Roses (@RedRosesRugby) March 23, 2025

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02:47 PM GMT​

Italy head coach Fabio Roselli speaking to the BBC​

“We are excited about the start of our [Six Nations] journey and we have prepared for that.

“We expect to preform in the areas we have practised in the past week. We want a strong defence and to compete in the collision.”

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02:45 PM GMT​

Women’s Six Nations 2025 predictions​

Who will be the top try-scorer? Who will be the best player? Who will win the tournament? Our experts reveal their picks for the Women’s Six Nations.

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02:42 PM GMT​

Selection decisions​

England ran out 48-0 winners in this fixture in Parma last year after overcoming an extremely sluggish first half and were only 10-0 up at the break. Mitchell fielded a near full strength side for that encounter but it took them a while to click into gear. I’m fascinated by this experimental selection. With a home World Cup on the horizon, he is testing his side’s positional flexibility and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Ellie Kildunne introduced on the wing so we get a chance to see her and Emma Sing together.

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02:40 PM GMT​

The key World Cup selection calls that will be decided in Women’s Six Nations​

Full-back: Ellie Kildunne v Emma Sing

The 2024 Women’s Six Nations Player of the Tournament and 2024 World Rugby Player of the Year versus the breakthrough star of the 2024-25 Premiership Women’s Rugby season. Sing has forced her way into contention after a disappointing season by her own standards last year. Not selected for the Red Roses at all in the 2024 Six Nations, she has since been in scintillating form for Gloucester-Hartpury, topping the PWR points-scoring charts. Kildunne had a year most players could only dream of in 2024, scoring 14 tries in 10 Test matches. A formidable presence in defence, she ticks all the boxes for a world-class full-back and it would take something special for Sing to overhaul her in the pecking order – but it is the challenger who gets the nod in the No 15 shirt for England’s championship opener.

For more on this piece from Fiona Tomas and Rebecca Wilde, click here.

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02:36 PM GMT​

Previous encounters​

2024: Italy 0-48 England

2023: England 68-5 Italy

2022: Italy 0-74 England

2021: Italy 3-67 England

2020: Italy 0-54 England

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02:32 PM GMT​

Ilona Maher: Rugby’s biggest star since Jonah Lomu​

Since winning bronze at last year’s Paris Olympics with the United States sevens team, Ilona Maher has embarked on a never-ending roller-coaster ride.

She has graced red carpets, dazzled on chat shows, won industry awards and acquired a growing portfolio of sponsorship deals, all of which have elevated her to a supersonic level of stardom. Not since Jonah Lomu burst onto the scene with his headline performances for New Zealand in the mid-Nineties has the world been this infatuated with a rugby player.

While Maher has embraced her calling as both a global phenomenon and a spokesperson for the women’s game, the most followed rugby player on social media admits to finding it somewhat exhausting.

Click here for more.

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02:25 PM GMT​

“Pumped to watch the Red Roses”​

It’s a sell-out today at the LNER Community stadium in York, with a crowd of around 8,500 expected. The traffic was chocka around the ground so I ditched my taxi and walked along an A-road with a local, whose 14-year-old daughter is a flagbearer for today’s match. He admitted he was more of a league guy but was pumped to watch the Red Roses. “It’s great to see there’s so much women’s sport on the telly nowadays isn’t it?’” Right you are, sir. (And in case you’re wondering, he had heard of Ilona Maher).

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02:22 PM GMT​

England captain Zoe Aldcroft: My Jonny Wilkinson doll inspires me​

Zoe Aldcroft rummages in her rugby bag and pulls out a knitted figure. “This is Jonny,” beams the Red Roses lock, sporting a gap-toothed smile as she passes over a questionable lookalike of Jonny Wilkinson, England’s 2003 World Cup hero, in his Toulon kit.

Aldcroft was given it by a childhood friend when she left home, aged 16, to pursue rugby at Hartpury College. It was also the age she discovered that there was an England women’s team – she had lacked female rugby role models growing up so Wilkinson filled the void.

Fast forward more than a decade and England’s new captain is sitting in a coffee shop that sponsors Gloucester-Hartpury, the three-time Premiership Women’s Rugby champions and the club that have helped to mould Aldcroft into an irrepressible force in the game. A week ago, she mingled with her counterpart, Maro Itoje, on an England rugby photoshoot. Times may have changed, but Aldcroft has not. Her Jonny doll has occupied a ritualistic place in her kit bag since her teenage years and her meticulous attention to detail bears an uncanny likeness to the English rugby great.

For more from Fiona Tomas’ interview with England’s new captain, click here.

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England will have the Rugby World Cup later this year on their minds - Morgan Harlow/Getty Images

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02:16 PM GMT​

Women’s Six Nations 2025: Fixtures, how to watch and England’s venues​

We have you covered with everything you need to know about the tournament. From the latest news to England’s squad and fixtures you can find out all the information right here.

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England’s Six Nations campaign begins at home against Italy - Morgan Harlow/Getty Images

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02:12 PM GMT​

England arriving​

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England look to defend their Six Nations crown once more - Nathan Stirk/Getty Images

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02:06 PM GMT​

Women’s Six Nations fixtures​

Saturday March 22

Ireland 15-27 France

Scotland 24-21 Wales

Sunday March 23

England vs Italy, 3pm

Saturday March 29

France vs Scotland, 1pm

Wales vs England, 4.45pm

Sunday March 30

Italy vs Ireland, 3pm

Saturday April 12

France vs Wales, 12.45pm

Ireland vs England, 4.45pm

Sunday April 13

Scotland vs Italy, 3pm

Saturday April 19

Italy vs France, 1pm

England vs Scotland, 4.45pm

Sunday April 20

Wales vs Ireland, 3pm

Saturday April 26

Italy vs Wales, 12.15pm

Scotland vs Ireland, 2.30pm

England vs France, 4.45pm

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02:02 PM GMT​

Teams​

England starting XV: Sing; Venner, Scarratt, Aitchison, MacDonald; Rowland, L Packer; Clifford, Cokayne, Muir, Galligan, Ives Campion, Aldcroft (capt), M Packer, Feaunati.

Replacements: Campbell, Botterman, Bern, Ward, Kabeya, Robinson, Shekells, Kildunne.

Italy starting XV: Ostuni Minuzzi; Muzzo, D’Inca, Rigoni, Granzotto; Madia, Stefan (capt); Turani, Gurioli, Seye, Fedrighi, Duca, Veronese, Locatelli, Sgorbini.

Replacements: Vecchini, Stecca, Maris, Tounesi, Franco, Bitonci, Stevanin, Capomaggi.

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01:58 PM GMT​

World Cup preparations ramping up​

The 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup is on the horizon and England Women get their 2025 Six Nations campaign going in York against Italy looking to win a seventh title in a row. John Mitchell’s side, who are currently ranked number one in the world, have won 20 games in a row and have not lost since he took charge in autumn 2023, meaning they have won 50 of their last 51 Test matches. They claimed their third successive Six Nations Grand Slam last year and are unsurprisingly favourites this year as they continue to build towards a home World Cup in the summer. Ahead of the game, Mitchell has emphasised that the importance of the Six Nations as a tool to prepare for the World Cup.

“With it being a home World Cup, we cannot ignore that. We are excited by that but the Six Nations is really important to us, we have got a nice little goal within that to evolve our game,” Mitchell told the BBC. “We park that up [World Cup chat] and pay respect to work hard and evolve our game in this tournament so by the time we come round to World Cup preparation, we will probably be in a position where we can consolidate.”

In last year’s tournament, they scored at least 40 points in every single game and conceded more than 10 points just once as they won on the road in Italy, Scotland and France and beat Wales and Ireland at home. England have not lost a home game in the Six Nations since 2015, winning 21 in a row on home soil.

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England’s World Cup preparations continue at home in their Six Nations opener against Italy - Morgan Harlow/Getty Images

Claudia MacDonald, who starts on the wing this afternoon for England, has spoken about the strength in depth of this squad and the competition for places.

“No one has been told they will play a certain amount of minutes or games. There is so much strength in depth and so much choice [for Mitchell],” MacDonald said.

“We know it is one of our biggest strengths as a squad - you could have two separate teams of 15. It is just a case of bringing everyone along for the journey. There is a World Cup at the end of the year but right now it is the Six Nations. Yes we are competitive individuals but we are Red Roses first. We have a great culture.

“The Rugby World Cup this year is all about growing the desire for young girls to play rugby. We want as many people to be watching and engaging as possible. If we travel around the country then we are picking up new pockets of people.”

Italy have a new head coach for this year’s Six Nations with Fabio Roselli replacing Giovanni Raineri. They have won just two of their last 19 matches in the Six Nations, losing eight, with both wins coming against Ireland.

When these sides met in the Six Nations last year, England won convincingly 48-0 over in Italy despite a first-half red card for Sarah Beckett. England have won all 17 of their previous Six Nations matches against Italy and their last seven victories have come by margins of 35 points or more. Already this weekend, France have won away in Ireland whilst Scotland narrowly got past Wales at home yesterday.

Kick-off at the LNER Community Stadium in York is at 3pm.

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