So after saying the team would be announced on Friday it is released on Friday. This is not the only mild surprise.

England team to face the Azzuri at Twickenham

England: Daly; Freeman, Lawrence, Dingwall, Sleightholme; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, George, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, Earl, Willis
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Heyes, Hill, Cunningham-South, B Curry, Van Poortvliet, M Smith

So Smith M sent to ride the pine, presumably because he is no great shakes under the high ball (quelle surprise) and Daly, fucking Daly gets the nod. I have been an admirer of Daly in the past and actually felt he was used poorly by England in being shunted around in different positions when he was actually a bloody good outside centre, but his best days are way behind him. To me this is an indication that we are not going to play ball in hand very much (quelle surprise encore). The only other non-surprise is JVP coming on to the bench on the back of one good game for England A. Ought to be something of a surprise as he's been dogshit for England for a while but then again, we know he is a favourite of Borthers from his Leicester days. However the biggest change is Dingwall in at 12 for Slade. I don't know enough about Dingwall to comment on his suitability but to me it seems that Slade is being made the scapegoat for a porous midfield defence. Personally I'd have got rid of El Abd and his in between system first but there you go.

Italy at home should be the opportunity to test one or two younger, up and coming guys off the bench, Langdon/Dan at hooker and Opoku-Fordjur stand out as opportunities missed. But then again. No surprise.

England should win this even though Italy are not the pushovers as before, but it is Twickenham and I think we will have enough to get us over the line in a boring kick-fest of a game.

"boring kick fest" don't go all abs supporters and demand style as well as substance. England just need wins.

It's funny how so many articles say 'this is the end' for Marcus- it's just benched v Italy!

@Machpants

We need more than wins. We need statement wins that show some progression, some structure and ideally some ambition, but I’d take the first two for now.

Edit: Just seen some stats from the Scotland game: average 2.7 carries before kicking. Kicj=ked away 69% of our possession.

Given those stats I think we did really well to manage the one (dubious) try.

England take the early lead, Lawrence pulls a hamstring, Marcus Smith on and Daly to midfield.

England have had all the ball and territory but don’t know what the fuck to do with it.

Italy have one attack and two clever chips puts Ange over

England 7-7 Italy
15 mins

That Capuozzo try was truly sumptuous. Contender for Try of the Year.

Italy's D near their line is very, very good.

Didn't realise that's kipper's kid on the wing!

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

Lawrence pulls a hamstring

It looked like more than that, with the way he carried on, didn't look like achilles when he went off though.

@Bones said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

Lawrence pulls a hamstring

It looked like more than that, with the way he carried on, didn't look like achilles when he went off though.

Hope not for his sake. Def. Lions contender

Brace already making it up as he goes along

TMO gets it right

Freeman in for England's second try. 12-7

First and second England players to every ruck are off their feet

Should be a penalty each and every time

That Freeman try was hilarious . Contender for Dumbass Defence of the Year

Try of the season

Fucking hell, Italy 8 blows England backs off the park.

@Bones said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

Fucking hell, Italy 8 blows England backs off the park.

Thought this game could be a bit of a one-sized bore-fest.

It's bloody brilliant to watch.

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

@Bones said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

Fucking hell, Italy 8 blows England backs off the park.

Thought this game could be a bit of a one-sized bore-fest.

It's bloody brilliant to watch.

Thanks to brilliant England coaching.

If England aren’t careful they could lose this

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

If England aren’t careful they could lose this

Italy have a few world-class players these days.

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

If England aren’t careful they could lose this

Fingers crossed they win. It's much better for the rest of us if this coach stays on.

Defence optional from both sides.

Half time. England 21 Italy 17.

Chance of a big upset from the visitors?

Italy blew a chance to really put England under pressure

Them Marcus hitch kicks his way to the line

Tom Curry goes over and that’s the match

@Bones said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025 England V Italy:

If England aren’t careful they could lose this

Fingers crossed they win. It's much better for the rest of us if this coach stays on.

And suddenly it's 42-17.....

The Twickenham crowd are having a Sunday afternoon snooze.

And so does the English defence. Italy score their third try.

England 42 Italy 24. Not a great game but it's beautiful spring afternoon in London.