Italy Stun England in Six Nations: Historic Win & England’s Losing Streak
Rome – In a result that reverberated through the Six Nations and the wider rugby world, Italy secured a historic 23-18 victory over England on , at the Stadio Olimpico. It marked the first time in 33 attempts that the Azzurri have defeated England in the championship, ending a long and often painful losing streak.
The match unfolded as a tense, tactical battle, punctuated by moments of brilliance from both sides. England, entering the contest with a recent run of form that included a win against New Zealand, appeared to control possession in the early stages. However, Italy quickly demonstrated their attacking intent, threatening the English defense with incisive runs and quick ball movement.
Italy’s fly-half, Tommaso Garbisi, opened the scoring with a penalty in the 21st minute, capitalizing on an English infraction at the line-out. England responded with a try from centre Fraser Freeman, created by an overlap on the left wing following sustained pressure and two penalties won at the scrum. Finn Smith added the conversion.
The lead didn’t last long. Italy struck back with a stunning individual effort from Tommaso Menoncello, who powered through the English forward line to score a converted try, regaining the lead for the home side. The game continued to ebb and flow, reminiscent of the earlier try-fest between Scotland and France, but with a greater emphasis on defensive solidity and tactical kicking.
Before halftime, England regained the advantage through another well-executed attacking move. A cross-kick from Finn Smith found winger Ben Roebuck, who finished the opportunity to score. Smith’s subsequent conversion gave England a 12-10 lead at the break.
The second half saw a tightening of the contest, with both teams battling for territorial control. England extended their lead through two penalties from Smith, while Italy’s momentum was briefly stalled by a yellow card for Nicotera, who was penalized for a cynical infringement. However, the complexion of the match began to shift when England flanker Tom Underhill received a yellow card for a high tackle, a decision that survived a bunker review.
Garbisi capitalized on the numerical advantage, kicking a penalty to reduce the deficit. He then added another penalty, leveling the scores and putting Italy within striking distance. England’s discipline continued to unravel, and captain Maro Itoje was also sent to the sin-bin for a penalty concession, leaving the visitors with a two-man disadvantage for a crucial period.
Despite England’s desperate defense, Italy seized their opportunity. With Itoje still off the field, a brilliant counter-attack, sparked by forceful running from Monty Ioane and Menoncello, created the space for replacement Leonardo Marin to dive over for the decisive try in the 71st minute. The stadium erupted as Italy moved into a lead they would not relinquish.
The final whistle was met with scenes of jubilation in Rome, as players and fans celebrated a momentous occasion for Italian rugby. The victory not only ended the 33-match losing streak against England but also provided a significant boost to Italy’s Six Nations campaign.
Looking ahead, Italy now have the opportunity to achieve a historic tournament record. If they can defeat Wales in Cardiff next weekend, it would be the first time they have won three matches in a single Six Nations championship, and could potentially see them finish third – their best-ever final position.
For England, the defeat represents a third consecutive loss in this year’s Six Nations, raising questions about their form and direction under coach Borthwick. Having begun the tournament with a dominant victory over Wales, their subsequent struggles highlight a concerning lack of consistency. The discipline issues, evidenced by the three yellow cards, will be a major area of concern for the coaching staff.
The result underscores the growing competitiveness of the Six Nations and the increasing strength of the Italian team. While England’s recent success against New Zealand in November had suggested a return to form, this defeat serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead. Italy’s victory is not merely a symbolic milestone; it is a testament to their progress and a signal of their ambition to become a consistent force in international rugby.