England v Italy - Teams and prediction
ROUND FOUR PREVIEW: England go into Sunday’s Six Nations match with Italy at Twickenham knowing a win may not be enough to appease critics of their faltering attack.
If third-placed England, whose points difference currently stands at minus three, are going to remain in realistic title contention ahead of their tournament finale against Wales in Cardiff a week on Saturday, they will have to improve on their recent one-point wins over France and Scotland.
Those narrow victories followed England’s run of seven straight defeats by top-tier opposition, including a loss away to reigning champions and unbeaten tournament leaders Ireland, up against in-form France in Dublin on Saturday, in their Six Nations opener.
And while Steve Borthwick’s men deserve credit for their resilience, the England coach’s claims they had “found a way to win” after a 16-15 triumph over Scotland at Twickenham a fortnight ago rang slightly hollow given the Scots outscored his side three tries to one, only for Finn Russell to miss all three conversions.
Clearly relying on the opposition goalkicker having a bad match is not a policy for sustained success, with 2003 World Cup winner Will Greenwood berating the current England side for playing “no rugby”.
‘Slandered’
But England vice-captain Ellis Genge insisted the team deserved more credit.
“It’s like you’re damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” said the prop.
“In the last 18 months, every time we’ve lost by a point, we’ve been slandered, and we win by a point, and it’s the same old story.”
And yet, for all England were booed by their own fans during a prolonged bout of box-kicking early in the second half against Scotland, expectations will remain high this weekend.
Italy have lost all 31 of their previous Tests against England, and the Azzurri arrive at Twickenham on the back of a 24-73 thrashing by France – a match where Les Bleus scored 11 tries, a record for one team in a single Six Nations match.
Borthwick has rejigged his attack by dropping fullback Marcus Smith and centre Henry Slade, with their places taken by Elliot Daly and Fraser Dingwall – one of five Northampton players behind the scrum.
Recalled hooker Jamie George – replaced as England captain by Saracens teammate Maro Itoje at the start of the tournament – wins his 100th England cap.
Even if England does score several tries on Sunday, expect cries of ‘it’s only against Italy,’ for all the sheer scale of the Azzurri’s defeat by France was something of a surprise given their increasingly competitive displays.
Borthwick, a former England captain, hailed Dingwall as a “really intelligent rugby player,” who could be the “glue” that bonds his side’s attack after naming his team on Wednesday.
Yet, only a few weeks ago, Borthwick was equally upbeat about playing the now-benched Marcus Smith at No.15 and Northampton flyhalf Fin Smith, who has kept his place, in the same England backline.
Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has made five personnel changes and moved dangerman Ange Capuozzo to fullback, allowing the return from injury of wing Monty Ioane, as the Azzurri look to regain a measure of self-respect.
Matt Gallagher, son of former All Black John, makes his Six Nations debut on the other wing.
Wales-born Stephen Varney comes in to partner Paolo Garbisi at scrumhalf.
Ross Vintcent starts at No.8, with Lorenzo Cannone dropping to the bench, and is flanked by captain Michele Lamaro and Sebastian Negri.
After losing 19-31 to Scotland in their tournament opener, Italy rebounded to beat Wales 22-15 in Rome before their humiliation by France, for all Quesada was right to say scoring 24 points against the French was “no small feat”.
“I think it was impossible to beat that French team, but we should not have conceded such a defeat with such a deficit,” said the former Argentina playmaker.
“It is up to us to show that what happened against France was a blip.”
Players to watch
For England: Eyes will be on inside centre Fraser Dingwall forming his partnership with the more experienced Ollie Lawrence to give England front-foot ball and free up their back three. Tom Curry and Ben Earl will be hard to contain at the breakdown and in open play. Jamie George’s return will provide stability and experience in the front row.
For Italy: The attacking threat of Toulouse star Ange Capuozzo will be key against an England defence that has shown soft moments throughout the tournament. Wing Monty Ioane will hope to get some ball in space with his deadly finishing ability. Eyes will be on the halfback combination of Stephen Varney and Paolo Garbisi, while the entire Italy front row will determine if Italy can execute the quick-paced game they love to play.
Prediction:
@rugby365com: England by 18 points
Teams:
England: 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Fraser Dingwall, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ted Hill, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Jack van Poortvliet, 23 Marcus Smith.
Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Monty Ioane, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Matt Gallagher, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Riccardo Favretto, 20 Manuel Zuliani, 21 Lorenzo Cannone, 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.
Date: Sunday, March 9
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT; 16.00 ITA)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant referees: Craig Evans (Wales) & Luc Ramos (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
