Italy v England: Six Nations 2026 – live

Key events

Show key events only

Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature

Preamble

From October 1991 until kick-off this afternoon, matches between England and Italy have been a forgone conclusion.

The two nations have met 32 times and England have triumphed on every occasion. The average score is around 40 points to 13. There have been drubbings of 67-7 in 1999, 80-23 in 2001 and 57-14 in 2019. Things have been tighter recently, and the last match in Rome ended with a three point margin, but the story has followed a predictable plot for 35 years.

That could change today.

England are on the ropes after heavy losses to Scotland and Ireland. Steve Borthwick has made sweeping changes to his team, more than any other England coach in Six Nations history. His players have looked disjointed, out of sorts and short of confidence.

Italy meanwhile have continued to impress. They fought hard to beat Scotland in a downpour and have been the only side in the first three rounds to provide something resembling a challenge to the French. They have arguably the best centre pair in the game, have astute operators in the halfbacks and now possess a pack that can mix it in heavy traffic.

England should still win. I’d be surprised if they don’t. Then again I wouldn’t be totally shocked if they fall to a third loss on the bounce. Not simply because of their own spluttering form but because their hosts have never been in a better position to finally complete the set in the Six Nations.

That’s a lot of words to admit I don’t know which way this is going. If you’ve got any clue please drop me an email. I’d love some help untangling this conundrum.

Kick-off at 4:40 pm GMT, 5:40 pm in Rome.

Teams and other updates to follow.