England v Italy - teams and predictions

ROUND TWO PREVIEW: England coach Steve Borthwick has warned his side to beware of the speed of Italy’s backs ahead of their Six Nations clash at Twickenham on Sunday.

Both teams go into the second round match following defeats, with England losing 23-29 at home to Scotland in Borthwick’s first game in charge since succeeding Eddie Jones, with Italy giving reigning champions France a scare before going down 24-29 in Rome.

But a notable feature of Italy’s performance at the Stadio Olimpico was the speed at which they moved the ball with fullback Ange Capuozzo scoring a fine try.

It was Capuozzo’s stunning scything counter-attack run past several defenders that led to Italy’s last-gasp win over Wales in Cardiff last season, which ended a woeful 36-match losing streak in the Six Nations.

And Edoardo Padovani, who received the try-scoring pass from Capuozzo at the Principality Stadium, has regained his starting place on the wing for the first time since that landmark result.

England missed several tackles while conceding tries against Scotland and Borthwick knows Italy now have the personnel to punish any similar lapses at Twickenham this weekend.

“Well I think that they clearly have pace,” said former England captain Borthwick after naming his side to face the Azzurri.

“They certainly have pace in their back three. Tommaso Allan at No.10, the players they have got in the inside backs, they have got experience, many of them have got experience in rugby at the highest level.”

Italy, still searching for a first win over England in 29 Tests between the two countries, has long been known for their set-piece strength at the scrum.

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But Borthwick, himself a former lock, said there was now an added dimension to Italy’s forward play.

“I talked about the fitness of that forward pack, I also look at the competition at the breakdown,” he explained.

“Italy has got a high degree of competition at that breakdown, which was certainly evident in their game against France.”

Borthwick has revamped his back division for Sunday’s match, moving captain Owen Farrell from inside centre to his favoured club position of flyhalf, with Harlequins flyhalf Marcus Smith dropping down to the bench.

The duo had started the last eight Tests together, with Jones hoping the pair would be in harness at this year’s World Cup in France.

But Borthwick has broken up the misfiring partnership after one game in charge.

“I’ve been very clear that every game matters for England,” said Borthwick.

“I’m not looking to games beyond or aspects beyond in months to come – I focus upon this week and that’s what I’m doing with this team.”

A fit-again Henry Slade has returned to form a new centre partnership with the in-form Ollie Lawrence.

“I feel this is a team right for this game,” said Borthwick.

“Having Henry Slade available this week is very important. His distribution skills and his left-foot kicking option are great strengths.”

Players to watch

For England: The decision to name Owen Farrell at flyhalf and drop Marcus Smith to the bench is significant – a call that many pundits has been making since November. The Smith-Farrell axis has not delivered the desired results. Borthwick has now decided to field Farrell in the Saracens star’s club position of flyhalf. In a further shake-up to his back division, Borthwick has recalled Henry Slade, following a hip injury in place of Joe Marchant, with Ollie Lawrence, a late replacement against Scotland, alongside him in the centres. Jack van Poortvliet has been retained at scrumhalf, with Alex Mitchell on the bench after Borthwick had already taken the decision earlier this week to drop veteran Ben Youngs from his matchday 23. Jack Willis replaces Ben Curry at openside flank.

For Italy: Paolo Garbisi will miss the trip to Twickenham, as the Montpellier flyhalf continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered at the start of the year – veteran Tommaso Allan getting another start in the No.10 channel. Crowley has made two changes to the team which suffered a narrow home defeat to France last weekend. Edoardo Padovani replaces Pierre Bruno at right wing, while Saracens prop Marco Riccioni starts in the front row instead of Simone Ferrari, playing for the Azzurri for the first time since November 2021 against Argentina. Gloucester flank Jake Polledri is set for his first cap since November 2020 after being named on the bench.

Head to head

Prediction

@rugby365com: England by 18

Teams

England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Ollie Lawrence, 11 Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Jack Willis, 6 Lewis Ludlam, 5 Ollie Chessum, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Jack Walker, 17 Mako Vunipola, 18 Dan Cole, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Ben Earl, 21 Alex Mitchell, 22 Marcus Smith, 23 Henry Arundell.

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Edoardo Padovani, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Tommaso Menoncello, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Luca Bigi, 17 Federico Zani, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Edoardo Iachizzi, 20 Jake Polledri, 21 Manuel Zuliani, 22 Alessandro Fusco, 23 Pierre Bruno.

Date: Sunday, February 12
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 15.00 (15.00 GMT; 16.00 Italy time)
Expected weather: Partly sunny with a high of 11°C and a low of 4°C
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)