Match report
So that’s it for the action in this Women’s Six Nations thriller! The match report will be linked here soon but in the meantime join me over on the Wales v Ireland live blog.
The second match of the afternoon will kick off at 5pm.
Italy head coach Andrea Di Giandomenico
‘We need a killer instinct.’
On England: ‘We scored a try for England in the first half. I think we now have time to look forward. The score is not good but I am confident with the work and it’s always a good effort’
England head coach Simon Middleton
‘It’s difficult to explain the first half apart from the fact we weren’t physical enough. All credit to Italy, I thought they were absolutely outstanding.
‘We were very, very, very lucky to be ahead [at half time].’
On the Jones: ‘Jones went alright. Definitely learning the trade again. Potentially doing too much at times but that’s Meg. She gives you that attacking threat that very few players have got. Millar-Mills, Bryony and Poppy Cleall [amazing]. Really pleased with the second half.’
Italy captain Manuela Furlan
‘The start was quite good but their two tries came from our mistakes.’
On not playing a lot before this match: ‘It’s been really difficult, we’ve tried to work on what we can control.’
England captain Sarah Hunter
‘It was fast and furious out there. We always know coming to Italy is difficult, they played some fantastic rugby first half. We didn’t come out with the tempo that we should have done.
‘It was a great game of rugby for watching but I think we were a bit disappointed in that.
‘[Middleton] had a few words to say for sure! We certainly had to wind Italy down a little bit and when we have a bench waiting to come on it shows that strength and depth we have.’
Player of the Match Megan Jones
‘Tough ride first haf, they were coming at us pretty hard. We had some tough words at half-time.
‘Second half with the finishers coming on we showed our depth... You’ve got to re-group and find the momentum.’
Updated
Full-time: Italy 3-67 England
A performance that started scrappy for the Red Roses ended in a clean and clinical performance.
Nine tries scored, seven in the second half, was just too much for Italy. The scoreboard doesn’t reflect the great performance that Italy put in, they just fell off in the last 30 minutes of the match which is where England capitalised.
While Megan Jones won Player of the Match, Dow also deserves a mention as she scored two tries. The winger has recently been through personal loss and to perform the way she did today was hugely impressive.
England’s Women’s Six Nations defence is well and truly on!
TRY! Italy 3-67 England
Davies finds herself at the back of the maul which storms over the line.
Scarratt misses conversion.
An impressive second half performance from the visitors.
81 min: England have a penalty from a high tackle and they kick to corner.
This is great play and confidence from them as they look for their ninth try.
79 min: England have collected the restart and they are looking for their ninth score this afternoon.
TRY! Italy 3-62 England
A well worked try by England as they continued to knock on the door as they went through the phases.
MacDonald throws a dummy pass to find a gap to dot down.
Scarratt converts again - perfect kicking from the vice-captain today.
Updated
77 min: Simon Middleton is shouting down to his team from the stands saying ‘keep playing’.
The Red Roses have done just that as they earn a penalty to kick to the corner.
76 min: England were in a great position there but Italy have done so well to turn over the ball.
The hosts have played really well this afternoon, it’s a shame the scoreboard doesn’t highlight that.
75 min: Megan Jones has been named as Player of the Match
73 min: The scrum works well again for the visitors.
They work hard to find another score but Italy turn the ball over. Italy scrum.
72 min: England scrum as Italy knock-on.
These set pieces have been where England have shone this afternoon.
71 min: Italy sub as Rigoni is replaced by D’Inca
TRY! Italy 3-55 England
Bryony Cleall gets the seventh try of the afternoon as she finds herself at the back of a driving maul.
Scarratt converts.
These last ten minutes for Italy are going to be painful if they can’t get back to their strong defence of the first half.
Updated
Yellow card for Skofca!
The Italy No.1 collapsed the maul which sees her in the bin. England will now go for a line-out.
Updated
68 min: Now England have a line-out. The action in this second half is happening every second!
67 min: England scrum, can they get their seventh try of the afternoon here?
Italy have played well but the Red Roses are running away with it here.
Updated
66 min: A high tackle on Dow is being looked at by the TMO in this break of play.
It is ruled accidental, no cards being shown.
Updated
66 min: Italy’s scrum was good but Botterman has turned the ball over.
They take aim but there’s a forward pass. Bryony Cleall is injured, hopefully nothing too bad!
65 min: England’s throw in isn’t straight and so Italy have the put in at the scrum.
A nice breather for the hosts after a mad few minutes!
64 min: Italy sub as Franco is replaced by Stefan
64 min: England win a penalty as Botterman is tackled without ball in hand. They kick to touch and look to score their seventh try.
64 min: England are once again running for the line.
They have really turned it on in the last ten minutes. Italy are just falling off here
62 min: England sub, Riley off for MacDonald.
TRY! Italy 3-48 England
How has Dow done that? B Cleall passes to the winger who then goes through the gears to score. Phenomenal play as England start to storm away from the hosts.
Scarratt converts
60 min: England replacement as Harrison comes on for Jones
TRY! Italy 3-41 England
England kept battering Italy’s defence and Rowland finds a hole to run in and score England’s fifth of the afternoon.
Scarratt coverts.
59 min: This is excellent play from England as they are tearing Italy apart here.
They are just a few metres out from the line here
58 min: England sub Brown is replaced by Bryony Cleall.
Botterman is also on the pitch for Cornborough and Davies is on for Cokayne.
TRY! Italy 3-34 England
What a try for the Red Roses.
Blistering hands and a great break from Matthews puts sub Millar-Mills in a great position to score. Wow!
Scarratt converts.
Updated
57 min: Italy once again have sloppy hands which gives a line-out to England.
While the hosts have been impressive, the handling errors has cost them
55 min: England sub as O’Donnell is replaced by Millar-Mills
TRY! Italy 3-27 England
The pass and grounding is okay and so Dow has scored! What a great moment for the winger.
Scarratt converts.
Updated
54 min: Is that a try? Dow looks to have scored but they are going to the TMO to check if the pass was forward.
Updated
54 min: England sub as Poppy Cleall replaces captain Hunter.
Scarratt will now captain the Red Roses
Yellow card for Barattin!
Despite the impressive defence, Italy scrum-half Barattin has seen yellow as she collapsed the maul.
54 min: Wow, wow, wow! What a great defensive effort from Italy.
England kick through but Scarratt dots down outside the goal area. We come back to an earlier penalty.
53 min: Huge defensive effort from Italy here and England continue to pile on pressure just a few metres out.
51 min: England come away with the penalty just a few metres out.
They kick to touch and they have a line-out. A great position for England here.
50 min: England kick the ball away and Furlan, who has been so good in this match, collects and beats Kildunne.
The Red Roses turn over and kick. Italy dot down in the goal area, England five metre scrum.
49 min: The scrum is good for England as they build an attack.
They are at half-way though so they will have to do something special here to get another try.
47 min: Italy knock-on at the restart, England scrum.
Italy need to remain composed despite the scoreboard going against them if they want to get back into this match.
Penalty! Italy 3-20 England
Scarratt’s kick is good as she adds to her perfect kicking success in this match.
46 min: England kick the ball away and we come back to the advantage as Italy were offside.
Scarratt points to the sticks here.
45 min: The line-out once again goes awry for Italy and England wins the ball.
The Red Roses are now storming towards the line and they have the penalty advantage.
45 min: England’s Brown penalised for obstruction and so Italy kick to touch.
Another line-out for Italy, a set piece that has been shaky for the hosts this afternoon.
44 min: Italy sub as Arrighetti leaves the field and Bettoni replaces her.
43 min: Break in play here as an Italian player asks for medical attention.
Solid start for England in this half though they still don’t look their usual confident selves.
43 min: Scarratt is back on the field and so England once again have 15 players.
The Red Roses are in possession and building attacking phases but the Italian defence is strong.
42 min: The line-out is good and Rigoni feeds a beautiful ball to Franco.
Unfortunately for the hosts a loose pass finds the hands of Kildunne. England kick upfield, a sign of relief for England there.
41 min: England have had early possession here but Jones gives the ball away as she holds on to the ball on the floor.
Italy kick to touch and will build from a line-out
Back underway!
Can hosts Italy continue their dominance in this to come out on top? Or can England come away with the win here?
Kick off in this second half as England lead 3-17.
And here is Fleetwood’s score, set up from an impressive break by Jones
.@megjonesltd the supplier, @vickyfleetwood the finisher 👊#ITAvENG #RedRoses #WomensSixNations pic.twitter.com/5J9kXjnJQG
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 10, 2021
Here is Scarratt’s try, the first of the match.
The #RedRoses with the first score 🌹
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 10, 2021
A loose ball is picked up by @EmilyScarratt and she races away for the 49th try for her country ⚡⚡ pic.twitter.com/Jvoj330k21
While the score was impressive, the vice-captain was sent off with a yellow shortly after.
Half-time: Italy 3-17 England
What a phenomenal half of rugby!
Italy have dominated with 61% of possession but two handling errors meant the Red Roses pounced to score twice through Scarratt and Fleetwood.
The hosts have impressed though and so they could come back in the second half.
It’s all to play for in Parma!
39 min: England turn the ball over at the scrum.
They will close out this half now as they only have 14 players on the pitch.
39 min: The scrum is reset but the second attempt is clean as England spring into attack.
Italy are holding up Dow and they have turned the ball over. The hosts are playing so well, the scoreboard just doesn’t reflect that.
37 min: Rigoni kicks out on the full at the restart and so England have a scrum on the half-way line.
Penalty! Italy 3-17 England
Rowland takes charge of the kick as Scarratt is in the bin. Clean kick, no sweat for the Loughborough star.
Updated
35 min: England win a penalty after Italy force a knock-on.
Penalty! Italy 3-14 England
Sillari converts the penalty that comes after the Scarratt high tackle.
Yellow card for Scarratt
A high tackle from Scarratt sees her in the sin bin. This comes after the ref had warned England about their penalty count.
32 min: Hunter has an uncharacteristic error as she knocks on.
Italy scrum just outside the 22. They need to find some points in this first half after their impressive performance.
TRY! Italy 0-14 England
Wow oh wow Megan Jones!
Another Italian passing error sees Jones collect the ball and storm towards the line. She can’t quite finish off the score and so she passes to Fleetwood who scores.
Scarratt converts.
29 min: England win the line-out, so far Italy have only had two successful line-outs.
The Red Roses kick the ball up pitch and once again Italy have to build attack from their own half.
28 min: As we have said already this match is end to end as Italy now have the ball!
Cokayne has given away another penalty as she was playing the ball on the floor. Another great position for Italy, can they get some points here?
26 min: Italy have loose ball and so England have a line-out.
Cokayne’s throw is sloppy but England eventually muscle the ball back. Great match so far!
25 min: England have a bit of a spring in their step since that try which may have settled the nerves after having just 35% of possession so far in the game.
Italy currently in possession and looking to clock some points on the board.
TRY! Italy 0-7 England (Scarratt)
What a try from Emily Scarratt!
She intercepts a pass as Italy continued their attack and she ran it in from distance. Just what the visitors needed after those opening stages. She then converts her own try.
Updated
21 min: Unfortunately for England, after impressive defence, Matthews knocks on and so Italy have a scrum here.
What a start from the hosts!
20 min: This match is just end to end!
England are now defending as this Italian team fight to put some points on the board. It feels a try for the hosts will come soon.
19 min: Jones has put boot to ball to gain a lot of territory.
While these early stages has seen the ball in Italian hands the Red Roses are fighting them off at the moment.
17 min: Italy’s line-out is clean and they form a maul.
Hunter has done extremely well to turn that ball over. Great captain call as well as she checked with the ref if she was legal to hold the ball up there. Amazing!
16 min: Referee Aurelie Groizeleau has had a word with captain Sarah Hunter about the accumulation of penalties as they give away another.
Italy now in a great position in the 22, line-out to come.
15 min: Italy are making good line breaks and are challenging England here.
While they are impressing, England are holding strong.
13 min: Cokayne’s throw is clean but again England knock on through Scarratt.
Italy’s early dominance seems to have shaken the Red Roses. The hosts are performing well so far.
12 min: Italy’s line-out is sloppy but they retain possession.
Franco gives away another penalty though as she had a leading arm. England now kick for touch and will have a line-out.
11 min: England once again give away a penalty as they go off their feet in the ruck. Their discipline was an issue last week and these early stages will frustrate Simon Middleton.
Italy kick for touch and have a line-out.
10 min: An amazing break from Jones ends in Italy turning over the ball. The game is end to end at the moment and Italy are holding their own against the reigning champions.
9 min: Italy kick for touch and they have their first line-out of the match.
England steal the ball and they kick on to attack.
8 min: England started to build some attacking phases there but they kicked the ball away.
Italy then forced an England error and so will have possession. There is a break in play as an Italian player receives medical treatment.
7 min: Impressive defence from England sees them turn over the ball.
Italy will be frustrated after retaining possession for the majority of this match so far.
7 min: Italy are once again on the attack and they will want to come away with some sort of points after being so dominant in the early stages.
They are edging towards the 22 now.
5 min: Italy kick the ball away after sustained pressure but they were playing a penalty advantage after a high tackle from Alex Matthews.
4 min: Italy’s captain Furlan chips a kick to gain territory and England have their first line-out of the match.
Cokayne’s throw is clean and it launches an attacking play. A kick from England then sees Italy gain possession.
3 min: England have fast passes off the back of the scrum but one from Kildunne to Scarratt is knocked on. Italy scrum
1 min: The early phases in this match is all Italy but it ends in Franco knocking the ball on. England scrum.
There is also no clock on the screen at the moment on BBC iPlayer
We're underway!
England’s Helena Rowland has kicked off in this fixture, can they continue their title defence in Parma?
The teams are out on the pitch in Parma as they line-up for the anthems. England are wearing black armbands in memory of HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Kick off is just five minutes away now.
Updated
Almost ten minutes to kick off and no sign of the match on BBC iPlayer yet. Hopefully the coverage will start imminently for this huge international clash.
The coin toss has taken place and England will kick off the Women’s Six Nations match!
Just under half an hour to go now until the game gets underway.
Not long until kick off here 🙌
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) April 10, 2021
Watch all the action live from 14:00 BST on @BBCiPlayer and on Sky channel 981/Freeview 601 📺#ITAvENG pic.twitter.com/8vplSGAGyE
There has been a lot of discussion about why the match is not being shown for fans on BBC 2 this week. The channel instead is airing a repeat of Flog it! and many pundits and supporters have criticised the BBC for not promoting the women’s game on one of their flagship channels.
England’s finals day match will be shown on BBC 2, the only match to be aired on the channel and not on BBC iPlayer.
England have made eight changes to their starting XV from their victory over Scotland last weekend. Most significantly, Player of the Match Poppy Cleall has made way for the returning captain Sarah Hunter.
While for Italy’s first 2021 Women’s Six Nations match they have a squad with a whole host of experience. Michela Sillari has only missed two matches since making her debut in 2012 and Italy last played without Sara Barratin at scrum-half in 2014.
The teams
Italy: Minuzzi; Muzzo, Sillari, Magatti, Furlan (c); Madia, Barattin; Skofca, Cammarano, Gai, Fedrighi, Duca, Arrighetti, Franco, Giordano.
Replacements: Bettoni, Maris, Tounesi, Locatelli, Veronese, Rigoni, Stefan, D’Inca.
England: Kildunne; Breach, Scarratt, Jones, Dow; Rowland, Riley; Cornborough, Cokayne, Brown, Aldcroft, O’Donnell, Matthews, Fleetwood, Hunter (c).
Replacements: Davies, Botterman, B Cleall, Millar-Mills, P Cleall, MacDonald, Harrison, McKenna.
Updated
Preamble
England will look to continue their Women’s Six Nations title defence this afternoon after they defeated Scotland 52-10 last weekend. The win has put the Red Roses at the top of Pool A and a victory over Italy today would secure the top spot heading into finals day on April 24.
Simon Middleton’s side are favourites to win this afternoon as, in recent years, Italy have defeated Ireland, Wales and Scotland but a victory over England has alluded them. The last time the two teams played one another was in November in the disrupted 2020 Women’s Six Nations. It’s a game Italy will want to forget as the Red Roses claimed a 54-0 win to clinch the Grand Slam.
If the challenge of facing the reigning champions wasn’t enough, more bad news came for Italy when the teams were announced as England captain Sarah Hunter was named as part of the starting XV.
Hunter has been out of action for 13 months with injury but she is sure to come back with a bang in what will be her 124th game for England. Italy will have a fight on their hands but they have home advantage as the match is being played in Parma, so it’s game on! Kick-off at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi: 2pm BST.
