Six Nations - England come from behind in Rome
England came from behind to earn a battling 19-15 victory over Italy in their Six Nations clash at a snowy Stadio Olimpico.
Two tries in the closing moments of the first half put the hosts command and sparked hopes that Italy might earn another major scalp to add to their win over France last year.
But the visitors struck back as Charlie Hodgson scored a try from a charge-down for the second week running as England edged into a lead that they would never relinquish.
Italy will no doubt rue the errors and missed chances which cost them the chance of a famous win in freezing conditions, but England's second-half resurgence ultimately made them good value for their victory.
The match began with snow still covering most of the pitch, and handling conditions clearly made life difficult for both sides for different reasons.
England, clearly determined to hang on to the ball after failing to do so last week in Scotland, recycled the ball well but were constantly forced backwards by an excellent Italian defence.
The Italians, by contrast, consistently tried to make something happen when in possession, but with the ball slipping out of their hands again and again their best efforts were undone by handling errors.
Two of those errors helped England into the lead, with a dropped pass by Gonzalo Canale allowing David Strettle to kick through - but the England winger was tripped on his way downfield by Tommaso Benvenuti. The trip was bad enough to merit a penalty which Owen Farrell landed beautifully from 40 metres just before half time.
Ten minutes later another Italian error gave up a scrum, which England's front row dominance forced the hosts to wheel three times. The referee awarded a penalty in almost the same spot from which Farrell struck earlier, and the 20-year-old landed another three points.
The Italians kept coming, pushing forward and winning the ball from the restart from where Kristopher Burton's kick-through was too slippery for Ben Foden to hang on to. Foden's loss was Giovanbattista Venditti's gain, however; the winger charged through to touch down in the corner.
Italy looked set to go in to half time a point behind as Burton missed the extra points from the touchline, but straight from the restart Italy scored again.
With England under pressure after collecting the kick, Foden tried to offload to Hodgson - but his weak attempt was intercepted gratefully by Benvenuti, who raced 40 metres to score under the posts.
England's woe continued as the second half began with Burton landing a penalty on 48 minutes to extend the lead to 15-6.
But just three minutes later the home side's dreams of a victory were hit badly as Hodgson charged down Andrea Masi's clearance kick. Just as it did at Murrayfield last week, the ball bounced kindly for Hodgson who touched down for a try.
Farrell added the conversion, and the score seemed to re-energise the England side as they began to take charge of proceedings. With the Italians under pressure the hosts began to concede more penalties, with Farrell taking full advantage as he landed further penalties on 56 and 66 minutes to put the visitors into the lead.
The introduction of Lee Dickson at scrum-half for the ineffectual Youngs also helped England, who immediately began to play a much faster and more creative game.
Yet Italy still had their chances, with replacement Tobias Botes missing a highly kickable penalty with 11 minutes left, and then again with five minutes to go.
But just as Italy were fortunate to score the two tries in the first half, England rode their luck to see out a win which leaves them top of the Six Nations table after back-to-back wins away from home.
Comment 159 - 178 of 178
Just come back on here and I see that MATTHEW ROBINSON is still biting and taking the bait, and now he is appealing to Pink Pig for help hahahahaha, I obviously get to him , keep it up MATTHEW!!! Now I have a serious question for you , does your hate and jealousy of the Welsh come from your mother? did she stray over the Welsh border and have an unfortunate experience with a Taffy??, hey!!! maybe you are half Welsh after all?
That's it isn't it? That's why you are sooo confused about your nationality and sexuality!!! Well listen boyo, try to be unbiased with the Wales/England game, after all you have a foot in both camps, wink wink, so to speak, and Chepstow is really in Wales!!!whwhohohahahahahahahah loving life yayyyyyyyy
Thanks David Peter, you've just clarified it for me, now I want us to lose!
tolevau, why do you want us humiliated? Whatever that is, would you be happy if we just lost? You don't really sound like a better human being than me and I am English, I didn't never do nothing to no one and really hope that you get close to your dream but why do you dream that or is that my fault as well? Seems much of this hatred is to get people stirred up, remembering their one unified quest, to humiliate the English. There has to be more you can do with your lives lads than just hate us!
Top of the 6 Nations - excellent. Bring on the Welsh scum, Irish and French, and another 6 Nations title is in the bag!!!!!!
Comment 176, tolevau - are you a Welsh bigot?
tolevau no one can honestly say that you don't have a bias, so why bother telling everyone that what you want to happen will definitely do so this time, presuming that you predicted Englands defeat in the last two games as well, spooky!
The only thing notable is the fact that England deserved to lose their 2 games against the 2 (supposed) weakest teams of the tournament even though 2 miracles saved them .
Actually, this year they had the level to get the wooden spoon (nobody can honestly say that Italy and Scotland didn't deserve to win and everyone knows that France, Wales and Ireland are stronger).
So, 2 victories, it isn't bad.
From now, they are going to be hammered by the 3 big teams.
Can't wait to see them humiliated.
Pink Pig, I asked if you thought that the psychotic Howard could also be that other one TERRY. With their repetitive inane laughter at unfunny jokes or is that just their heritage? Saw Max Boyce live and I truly wished that I wasn't there, it took the entire Pontypridd front row to keep us seated.
As a proud English girl I can only say that I hope we improve dramaticaly in two weeks time as I fear we are in for a hiding, the Welsh looked very good today yet are clearly still not at their best. As for ourselves we were lucky in Rome in that the ref favoured us, we were lucky not to have had a player yellow carded if not two one ofthem clearly preventing a third Italian try, two wins out of two, two good refs thank you God.
Come on Howard why lie, you never stop talking about it and you can't even spell hetero, not in your usual vocabulary I expect. Still I am not anti-gay just against the likes of you that witter on about them and then in the dark slip your hand onto the unsuspecting knee, hoping for a portion where the sun don't shine!
Well said Bolton Ballshifters, yes Wales ARE top of the pile , end of, as you correctly point out, hahahahahaha
Hahahahahaha, Matthew Robison the golly on Robinson's jam. but a gay golly, wants to know what it's like up my bum?????, I'm afraid boyo I'm hetro , you seem obsessed with gays and as you are usually on ladyboy sites it is clear for all to see that you are a raging gay. Now feck off back onto the ladyboy sites. Pink Pig , I'm afraid Matthew gayboy Robinson will never take your advice and ignor me, he just cant resist taking the bait!!!1 hahahahahahaha loving life!! yayyyyyyyyy
Top of the pile. End of.
look its simple england were scrappy but still won they did as every england side the last 10 years has done and first half lacked anything second half played unbelievably so much so you think your watching another team but again there a new team, they need to gel and they need to recycle the ball quicker both these matches have been an hostile grounds and yet they kept there cool the younger lads not being intimidated like they have been england starters all there lives its a good team but it in development and i as many others are am excited to see what the team can do at home and what the next few years has in store for englands rugby team
You cant knock 2 from 2, saying that, both teams had nothing to offer and fear for England.
JOHN,Gosh Terry what would you feel like if someone told you Wales never win anything....EVER!!
I would probably feel like an english man JOHN HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
HEY Johnny Bop,the orange tango Pakistani is back how was the flight son , do they honestly do curried in flight meals to Pakistan .and do they honestly have Commodes in every seat .
@133 Yes I agree I do so hope the idiots on here leave and can go play on the football pages if all they want to do is hear the sound of their own sad words All I got to say is England Played 2 Won 2 May not be in the best of ways BUT its a 100% so far and if we continue to win in a scrappy way then so be it I shall be happy to see the 6 nations trophy come to us! BUT I do feel the team will get it right and when they do they will put many other teams to the sword
@135 Was great to see the pack stand up to probably the hardest pack in at least the Northern Hemisphere Sort the line out and no8 and watch them go!
I meant to aim it at 147!.
@148 England may suck at Rugby Union right now, but there are many other sports we suck at too, Football, Tennis, Badminton, Motor racing, Athletics to name only a few, even our Cricket team is going off the boil, the Welsh are only able to suck at two sports, Rugby Union and Football, and yes Wales, you do suck at Rugby Union, even your great new hope, George North was born in England.
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