England vs Italy: Manu Tuilagi and Brad Shields both score twice in 57-14 Twickenham rout

England got back to winning ways with an emphatic 57-14 rout of Italy to ensure that their Six Nations title hopes remain alive heading into the final weekend.

Both Manu Tuilagi and Brad Shields scored tries in each half, with Jamie George, Jonny May and George Kruis adding to the landslide seven-try victory, while Italy's two tries came through a first-half score from Tommaso Allan and a late consolation from Luca Morisi.

It means that England trail Wales by just one point going into the final weekend of the championship, although Wales will win the Grand Slam if they beat Ireland next Saturday. Should they slip up though, England can pounce and reclaim the title if they can beat Scotland at Twickenham.

Relive all the action below.

Six Nations latest news

• England thrash Italy 57-14 at Twickenham
• Eddie Jones' side trail Wales at top of Six Nations table by one points
• Wales beat Scotland 18-11 to remain on course for Grand Slam glory
• Ireland host France in Dublin on Sunday afternoon

Show latest update

2019-03-09T09:37:03.150Z

Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Six Nations clash between England and Italy, brought to you from pitchside at Twickenham.

 

It's a dark, grey and gloomy day in south-west London, where the action gets underway at 4:45pm, and we'll be beginning our in-depth build-up to the match from 3:45pm.

 

The earlier game today sees Scotland take on Wales in a clahs that will have a big say in where the championship ends up next weekend, and you can follow the match live before we get underway at Twickenham.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 09:37

2019-03-09T15:44:39.750Z

The team sheets are in and, despite Eddie Jones' hints that Maro Itoje could be drafted in if he proves his fitness, there's no changes to either side.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 15:44

2019-03-09T15:45:38.436Z

Here's how the two teams line up:

England: Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Manu Tuilagi, Ben Te'o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Joe Launchbury, George Kruis, Brad Shields, Tom Curry, Billy Vunipola.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Ben Moon, Dan Cole, Nathan Hughes, Mark Wilson, Dan Robson, George Ford, Henry Slade.

Italy: Jayden Hayward; Edoardo Padovani, Michele Campagnaro, Luca Morisi, Angelo Esposito; Tommaso Allan, Tito Tebaldi; Andrea Lovotti, Luca Bigi, Simone Ferrari; Federico Ruzza, Dean Budd; Sebastian Negri, Braam Steyn, Sergio Parisse.

Replacements: Leonardo Ghiraldini, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, David Sisi, Jake Polledri, Guglielmo Palazzani, Ian McKinley, Tommaso Castello.

Referee: Nic Berry (Australia).

Assistant referees: Paul Williams (New Zealand) and Andrew Brace (Ireland).

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 15:47

2019-03-09T15:51:51.010Z

I'm pleased to say that the gllomy skies above Twickenham have cleared significantly as the day has worn on. The sun is shining, but there's still a strong wind that could cause serious problems for the kickers later on.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 15:51

2019-03-09T16:20:54.880Z

We wondered if Itoje would be slipped in by Jones at some point, but he's not even here for the warm-up so it looks like the lock has been given the day off to put his feet up and enjoy a rare weekend off.

 

Jones has insisted thought that Itoje is in the running to return to action against Scotland next weekend for the Calcutta Cup finale.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:20

2019-03-09T16:24:54.220Z

Owen Farrell leads England into Twickenham

 

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:24

2019-03-09T16:35:48.316Z

What to look out for today

Power

England will look to blast their way through the Italian defence if their selection is anything to go by. Owen Farrell has the useful weapons of Many Tuilagi, Ben Te'o and Joe Cokanasiga to pick from, who together weigh more than heavyweight boxers Deontay Wilder, Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. If England can break up the Italian defence, the results could be carnage.

 

Tricks

Italy famously made Eddie Jones insist he will retire from rugby if he ever saw anything like the 'no-ruck' tactics that were employed here two years ago. It infuriated the Australian mainly because England were so bad at working out how to conquer it. Will they pull any similar tricks today? Conor O'Shea hasn't suggested so, but you never know when it comes to the cunning Irishman.

 

Bonus point

England need to claim the bonus point in order to maintain their championship hopes, given that Wales have now stretched their lead at the top of the table to six points. If England can score four tries today and win in style, it will cut the gap to just one point and prove the championship is still well and truly alive.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:35

2019-03-09T16:40:04.413Z

And as Jerusalem comes to a finish, the players emerge into the mouth of the tunnel. Led out by Owen Farrell and Sergio Parisse, here they come!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:40

2019-03-09T16:41:07.866Z

Time for the anthems...

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:41

2019-03-09T16:45:11.736Z

Pre-match ceremonies over and done with, it's time to get the rugby underway. England need to get back to winning ways and prove there's life in their Six Nations challenge yet. And for Italy? They'll be desperate to avoid a 21st consecutive defeat in this tournament. Here we go!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:45

2019-03-09T16:46:07.113Z

1 mins: ENGLAND KICK OFF AND THE GAME IS UNDERWAY!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:46

2019-03-09T16:47:59.910Z

1 mins: England immediately try to get Cokanasiga in the game as Farrell changes his kick-direction with a short one for the wing to attack. He wins the ball back for England and they immediately attack, and some 50 seconds later Farrell chips to him again. The Bath flyer does excellently to take the ball and flick it out the back to Curry, but the flanker can't collect and knocks on.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:48

2019-03-09T16:50:37.473Z

3 mins: Farrell strips the ball off Parisse - the No 8 won't like that - and Vunipola kicks deep for both teams to chase. Hayward gets back in time but is caught in possession and England win the penalty, only to turn down the points and go for the try. Farrell tries to chip behind but it's a poor kick and Italy can clear.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:50

2019-03-09T16:53:14.820Z

5 mins: England haven't looked that good so far, with play breaking down and Sinckler having to kick for touch. The prop has many talents...but kicking isn't one of them.

 

Suddenly they click in gear as Cokanasiga breaks on the right. He passes inside to Youngs, and the scrum-half commits last-man Hayward before throwing a one-handed ball to Curry. He's on the stretch though and it allows the scrambling defence to get back and stop him from scoring, and when England attack left Shields' flapped pass to May is judged to be forwards and the subsequent try is halted before the wing gets the ball down.

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:53

2019-03-09T16:54:27.666Z

8 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:54

2019-03-09T16:57:00.756Z

8 mins: England win a penalty from the resulting scrum, and again they go for the jugular - this time by kicking for the corner. It's relatively simple from there as the pack sets up the driving maul from Launchbury's catch and Jamie George gathers at the base to shove over and score. Farrell adds the conversion, and you get the idea that could be the first of many here today. 7-0

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:57

2019-03-09T16:58:41.060Z

12 mins: TRY FOR ITALY!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 16:58

2019-03-09T17:01:30.640Z

12 mins: Well, well, well. Who saw that coming! Italy regain the ball from the restart and attack in the England 22. They spread left with a strong run from Campagnaro, and fly-half Tomasso Allan comes left to spot a gap between Launchbury and Cokanasiga. Through the line he dummies past Daly and scores in the corner berfore adding the conversion himself. 7-7

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 17:01

2019-03-09T17:01:40.516Z

15 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 17:01

2019-03-09T17:04:17.710Z

15 mins: It's raining tries at Twickenham! Immediately England re-estabish their lead, as quick ball allows Daly to hold off Esposito on the left and wriggle free of Campagnaro and Allan. He has Jonny May on his left shoulder, and releases the wing to sprint away and score their second try of the match. Farrell converts and England restore the seven-point lead. 14-7

• Jack de Menezes
• 9 March 2019 17:04

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