Hey, all I know it's been a while, but I'm back doing another England Rugby match as the team face Italy and look to put pressure on Wales after losing the chance for a grand slam. England is coming into the game looking to repair the memories of Cardiff two weeks ago. England has won the last 24 matches against Italy. To sort that out they made 5 changes from the squad that started in Cardiff. Joe Cokanasinga and Ben Te'o start while Ellis Genge, Joe Launchbury and Brad Shields come into the forward pack. 3 of the England players have actually been weighed in at a combined weight of 51 stone 12 pounds, the nearest athletes that combine that weight are boxers Tyson Fury, Anthony Joshua and Deontay Wilder. That's crazy. Italy made 3 changes from their defeat to Ireland with captain Sergio Parisse returning from a concussion and Sebastian Negri joining Parisse and Luca Bigi making his first-ever championship start.
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| The heartbreak of Cardiff. |
England got the first chance as Italy made a penalty 5 metres out from their try line however an unlucky kick by Farrell gave the ball back to Italy. England almost had a chance in the 5th minute; however, it ended early due to a forward pass. However, the scrum ended in a penalty for England and they went for a lineout and England scored the first try by Jamie George and Farrell converted the kick to make it 7-0 in the 9th minute.
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| Johnny May running in for his try. |
Italy then had a possession dominance for the next 3 minutes with 20 phases, and Tomasso Allan ran in for the tying try after a missed tackle Allan made the conversion to make it 7-7 in the 13th minute of the match. England then responded with another try courtesy of Johnny May after Elliot Daly ran through the Italian defence. Farrell's kick went through the posts to make it 14-7 after only 16 minutes. England scored their 3rd try in the 21st minute after Tualangi ran through the defence after missing a tackle Farrell made it 21-7 after converting the kick. Italy was forced to make a substitution with Campagnaro coming off for Castello. It became 24-7 as Farrell kicked the penalty after Italy didn't move away from the ruck.
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| Italy Captain Sergio Parisse playing his final match at Twickenham |
England got their 4th try as Brad Shields ran through the Italian defence that was down to 14 men as the replacement Castello went down with an injury. Farrell converted his 5th kick to make it 31-7. Castello was replaced by Ian McKinley. Italy nearly scored a try as Italy ran through missed tackles but wasted the opportunity as they went for a chasse kick however the ball went out of play. That would be the final action of the first half as England entered halftime with another bonus point that could play importance next week.
The second half started with Italy dominating possession with 19 phases; however, it came to nothing as Italy lost possession quickly. Tualangi scored his second try after being left open, and Farrell's conversion sailed wide left, but it made the score 36-7 England. Italy then made 4 changes to freshen up the Italian attack. The changes started to make themselves known as Italy drove to England's try line as Italy score their second try by Luca Morisi and Allan converted the kick to make it 36-14. England made 2 changes to freshen up England's legs.
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| Manu Tulagi scored two tries on either side of halftime. |
England made 3 changes as they were looking to give their replacements time on the pitch ahead of the World Cup. England scored their sixth try courtesy of George Kruis, and then 3 minutes later Dan Robson made it 50-14. Winger Joe Cokanasinga was awarded the man of the match. Brad Shields ended the scoring, and George Ford converted the kick to make it 57-14. England goes into next weeks match against Scotland with a chance to topple Wales by courtesy of the 3 bonus points that they have compared to Wales not having any bonus points.
Its all on for England and Wales as they both play in big matches next week. Wales face Ireland in Cardiff before England take on Scotland in Twickenham. I'll be back next week with the review next Sunday.
KRO Mark
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