Sloppy England do enough

England held on for a 17-12 victory in Rome but it was hardly an impressive display from Martin Johnson's side.

Italy had been beaten in all the previous 15 encounters between the nations, but will feel they have missed an opportunity to claim a first win against the former world champions.

The visitors kicked away far too much possession, frequently looked lethargic and lacked cutting edge - managing to cross for just one try - a Mathew Tait effort four minutes after the break.

Jonny Wilkinson kicked three penalties and a drop-goal, but also missed three attempts at goal, two from almost in front of the posts.

Mirco Bergamasco kicked four penalties, but he and Craig Gower missed a kick apiece - had those gone over, the Azzurri would have been celebrating a famous victory.

England almost scored a try inside a minute as Delon Armitage poked a grubber kick into the corner and almost reached it to touch down.

It was Italy who made the brighter start overall, but they lost two lineouts on their own throw in succession, failed to roll away and Wilkinson edged England ahead.

Bergamasco quickly levelled it after England were caught handling in a ruck but England were looking dangerous on the rare occasions they kept ball in hand, spread it wide and attacked the Italian defence.

Ugo Monye almost scored after a neat move involving Wilkinson and Mark Cueto and Gonzalo Garcia did well to make a try-saving tackle.

Pace

England looked to have the pace to frighten the Italians but chose not to use it, relying on the boot of Wilkinson, which for once proved fallible as he missed two penalty chances, one from right in front.

Bergamasco followed up with a miss after Danny care was caught offside, but knocked a good kick over on 34 minutes after a decent Italy attack.

That seemed to spark England into action and they suddenly exploded forward, Riki Flutey marauding 40 metres into the Italy 22 and forcing the defenders to slow the play down, which Wilkinson punished to level the scores at the break.

Gower missed a long-range chance to restore Italy's lead after a high tackle by Flutey, and on 44 minutes England finally decided to keep the ball in hand - to devastating effect. Monye burst down the left, Flutey was in support and Tait went over for the try. He trotted round underneath the sticks, but inexplicably, Wilkinson missed the extras.

Possible

England had seen what was possible if they attacked the Italian defence but almost perversely they went back into their shells.

When Martin Castrogiovanni was somewhat harshly sin-binned for slowing play down, they should have taken their chance to run riot - as they had against 14-man Wales last week - but in fact Italy dominated possession during the prop's absence.

It was Italy who were in the ascendancy in the closing stages and although they still looked incapable of breaking through for a try, a couple of Bergamasco penalties edged them to within two points with 10 minutes left.

It was to prove a nervy spell for an England side that was clearly playing with fear rather than ambition running through their veins, and the travelling supporters were immensely grateful for Wilkinson's late drop-goal. But Sydney 2003, it certainly was not.