[2025 Six Nations] England vs Italy - 9/3/25

[AlRums]

Thought Marcus had a good game, try aside he was getting people into space and supporting a lot at the breakdown. He lost one kick and collected the other 2-3 that Ita put on him. Fine by me, you're gonna lose kicks now that you can't use blockers.

I have to say MS has been massively maligned of late.

He looks like the only England player who wants to play with the ball rather than constantly giving it back to the opposition.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I have to say MS has been massively maligned of late.

He looks like the only England player who wants to play with the ball rather than constantly giving it back to the opposition.

Agreed. He's got 25ish caps and the rest of the team can't anticipate when he's going to go for a gap? It works at Quins

 

[Crash Hamster]

you're gonna lose kicks now that you can't use blockers.

This, plus the high risk of giving away penalties for contact in the air, plus the risk of 'blockers' being penalised (and 'blockers' is open to interpretation) means that the days of a player always winning the high ball are numbered.



Difficult even if you're Freddie Steward.

 

[BrokenWing]

Agreed. He's got 25ish caps and the rest of the team can't anticipate when he's going to go for a gap? It works at Quins

Do you mean starts? Because he's got 42 caps.

 

[spartan32]

A decent result today. Rubbish about Lawrence both for England and Bath!! But good to see England recovering from the sudden need to change and adapting well. Thought Sleitholm had a much better game today and took his tries well. Good to see George have a good game on his 100th. Chessum was really good, the Curry brothers did well, Marcus seemed to struggle a little at first but got into his stride playing out of position, put in a try saving tackle followed by an excellent solo try. Fin Smith kicked beautifully and also had a great game. Mitchell looked much more himself, Freeman looked strong and fast, didn't think too much of Dingwall. Not sure he's going to be a keeper.

All in all this is exactly the sort of performance I would have expected from England. Italy were a weaker side so I'm not going to get too excited just yet, but that was a solid scoreline and keeps us in the running for 2nd place; and maybe if Scotland perform a miracle maybe even top spot.

Need to follow this up with a strong performance against the Welsh and then who knows, maybe life some silverware?

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Do you mean starts? Because he's got 42 caps.

Typo'd it

 

[Grizwald]

England have to beat Wales next week to allow even a sniff of saying they're progressing. Despite only the one loss England have been far off an 80 minute performance in the tournament.

Still don't know what the identity of this England team is. The France game felt like the balance, competed hard throughout stood up well in the forwards and in general weren't out muscled by a very physical side. Scotland despite the win felt like a backwards step, absolute snooze fest. Far crisper handling today generally, good in patches, but still far off an 80 minute performance, lots of penalties conceded, took their foot off.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This, plus the high risk of giving away penalties for contact in the air, plus the risk of 'blockers' being penalised (and 'blockers' is open to interpretation) means that the days of a player always winning the high ball are numbered.



Difficult even if you're Freddie Steward.

Yet Roebuck makes it look pretty routine

 

[IT157]

England have to beat Wales next week to allow even a sniff of saying they're progressing. Despite only the one loss England have been far off an 80 minute performance in the tournament.

Still don't know what the identity of this England team is. The France game felt like the balance, competed hard throughout stood up well in the forwards and in general weren't out muscled by a very physical side. Scotland despite the win felt like a backwards step, absolute snooze fest. Far crisper handling today generally, good in patches, but still far off an 80 minute performance, lots of penalties conceded, took their foot off.

I think it depends on the opposition tbh.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Yet Roebuck makes it look pretty routine

Surprised you've never mentioned him before...

(I agree with you, it's odd he's not had a game.)

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

If we could just stop being the most penalised side in every game we play, that would be grand...

 

[Rugbyfan564]

England v Italy player ratings: Tommy Freeman stands tall in attacking blitz

After an indifferent first-half performance, and some inspired rugby from Italy, England eventually made their class tell

www.telegraph.co.uk

Daly - 6/10
Freeman - 7/10
Lawrence - N/A
Dingwall - 6/10
Sleightholme - 6/10
F Smith - 6/10
Mitchell - 7/10
Genge - 6/10
George - 6/10
Stuart - 7/10
Itoje - 6/10
Chessum - 8/10
T Curry - 7/10
Earl - 7/10
Willis - 7/10
Replacements - 6/10

Capuozo 6/10
Ioane 5/10
Ignacio Brex 6/10
Menoncello 5/10
Gallagher 4/10
Garbisi 3/10
Varney 4/10
Fischetti 5/10
Nicotera 6/10
Riccioni 4/10
Cannone 5/10
Ruzza 5/10
Negri 7/10
Lamaro 5/10
Vintcent 5/10
Replacements 5/10

 

[Lé Ddanno]

If we could just stop being the most penalised side in every game we play, that would be grand...

It's been 20 years mate we won't stop in a hurry

 

[Grizwald]

I think it depends on the opposition tbh.

Yeah I'd agree, back against the wall against an oppo who we're expected to loose against don't seem to struggle to get up for. Scotland game lacked any intensity for me.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I feel Chessum will be the future England captain

Reckon he will be tigers captain next season

 

[BPM]

Agreed on Chessum. I think it was noticeable how he was taking charge in team huddles etc. towards the end of the game. He really seems to developing his leadership credentials.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I feel Chessum will be the future England captain

Reckon he will be tigers captain next season

Quietly playing out of his skin as well, if he stays fit he should be a shoe in

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Fairly predictable that Ita would score a few tries.

Fairly predictable that we would have far too much forward power.

Not sure what's changed over the last year for Ita but they've taken a big step backwards. It was like 20 years ago - competitive for a bit before folding.

But you can't sniff at racking up 7 tries and 47 points. It wasn't great, it wasn't outright lousy. It was a no win game and didn't really teach us much.

3 home wins banked.

Next week we should be far too good for Wal.