Megan Wellens
Digital Sports Journalist @MegWellensX
Italy 24-27 England: George Ford kicks England to slender Six Nations win in fightback against Azzurri
England just about hold on against Italy in Rome to get their Six Nations campaign up and running with a win; Italy come away with a bonus point after a late Monty Ioane try; Elliot Daly and Michele Lamaro sent to the sin bin late on
Last Updated: 03/02/24 5:12pm
England put on a second half fightback to secure a slender 27-24 victory against Italy at Stadio Olimpico in Rome to get their 2024 Six Nations campaign off to a positive start.
It was quite the tale of two halves, Italy impressing in attack in the first 40 and taking a 17-14 lead at the break, tries from debutant Alessandro Garbisi and Tomasso Allan putting them in front.
England countered through Elliot Daly and three times from the boot of George Ford but were unable to nullify the strike threat of the hosts in the first half.
The visitors came out more determined in the second 40 and after Alex Mitchell forced his way over and Ford was clinical three more times from the tee, England had a 27-17 lead, their experience combining with some youthful flair.
After late yellow cards for Daly and Italy captain Michele Lamaro, a converted try for Monty Ioane brought the hosts within three points of their opponents and gave them the bonus point but left the Azzurri waiting at least another year for their first Six Nations win over England.
Italy 24-27 England - Score summary
Italy: Tries: Alessandro Garbisi (12), Tomasso Allan (26), Monty Ioane (85); Conversions: Tomasso Allan (5, 12, 26, 85)
England: Tries: Elliot Daly (20), Alex Mitchell (44); Conversions: George Ford (15, 33, 37, 45, 54, 66)
England experience helps them hold on in Rome
It was a fast-paced and penalty-filled first five minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, the hosts taking advantage of Maro Itoje being caught offside to claim a 3-0 lead from the boot of Tommaso Allan.
The Rome crowd then erupted 12 minutes in as Italy extended their advantage with a brilliant attacking try, scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi diving over on his debut after a sensational break from Lorenzo Cannone.
After a scintillating start from the hosts, England started to win the collision and made it count, getting their first points on the board from the boot of Ford before an unconverted Daly effort from a Tommy Freeman break brought the score to 10-8 after the first quarter.
The flowing Italy attack didn't take long to hit back though, Allan finishing off a magnificent loop-around team try started by the Garbisi brothers and Ignacio Brex.
Two Ford penalties reduced Italy to a slim 17-14 lead at half-time as the Azzurri edged closer to what they thought could be a maiden win over England in the tournament.
England came out for the second 40 with a much more determined attitude and finally took the lead, turning pressure into points as Mitchell powered over from short range on the blind side for his first Six Nations try, Ford converting for a 21-17 advantage.
England's bright second half continued as their scrum showed their power once again, a Ford penalty conversion securing 10 unanswered points in just over the first 10 minutes of the second 40.
A wrestle for control then ensued but some sloppy errors for the Azzurri started to cost them, a penalty for on the 66th minute gifting England anther three points and a solid 27-17 lead.
With discipline slipping, Daly was sent to the sin-bin for a trip, Italy skipper Lamaro also spending 10 minutes off the pitch for collapsing the maul.
Both teams had 14 players and the clock was running over but Italy were not done, Ioane scoring a brilliant individual effort and Allan adding the extras for the bonus point, the encounter coming with plenty of lessons for both outfits.
George: We were a mixed bag| Lamaro: I'm proud but it's not enough
England captain Jamie George to ITV Sport…
"A mixed bag I'd say. I was really pleased with some of the endeavour, and the boys dug in at times. We probably had a few growing pains in there.
"A lot of new faces in that squad, the way we rallied around, understood the message and got on with it, the second half was more what we are about.
"The thing that pleased me the most is that we were pushing and trying things. Playing at a different intensity.
"We want to be physical, the best England teams are. We weren't perfect and know we'll have to be better going into Wales, but it's a good start."
Italy captain Michele Lamaro to ITV Sport...
"It's always hard when you are that close and can't get the win. We played a good first half, start of the second half we conceded a little too much.
"I'm proud of the boys, we always fight for each other and that's the most important thing, but there's a lot we can do better.
"We need to build pressure, generally the 20 minutes after half-time we struggled to get out of our half.
"It's not enough. We need to keep pushing and build on this performance. We know we are that close, but there's still lots we can do better."
What's next?
England host Wales at Twickenham next Saturday, February 10 (4.45pm kick-off GMT), in Round 2 of the Six Nations.
Italy are back in action on Sunday, February 12 as they face a visit to reigning champions Ireland, with kick-off at 3pm at the Aviva Stadium.
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