Italy vs England Six Nations preview as both teams come into the match on one win from three matches.
They have never won against England, but this feels like an opportunity after strong performances in the tournament from the Azzurri, while England comes into the match with a string of disheartening results and performances.
Italy vs England confirmed lineups and team news
Italy (1-15):
Fischetti, Nicotera, Ferrari, Cannone, Zambonin, Lamaro, Zuliani, Cannone, A Garbisi, P Garbisi, Ioane, Menoncello, Brex, Lynagh, Pani
Replacements (16-23):
Di Bartolomeo, Spagnolo, Hasa, Ruzza, Favretto, Fusco, Marin, Allan
Italy have made three changes from the side that took on France. Brex returns to the side, having missed the last two due to personal reasons. Alessandro Garbisi will join his brother in the half-backs, starting at 9, and Pani comes in at 15 for the injured Ange Capuozzo.
England (1-15): Genge, George, Heyes, Itoje, Coles, Pepper, Curry, Earl, Spencer, F. Smith, Murley, Atkinson, Freeman, Roebuck, Daly
Replacements (16-23): Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Chessum, Underhill, Pollock, van Poortvliet, M. Smith
Borthwick has made some massive changes to his team after they lost heavily at home to Ireland. He has only kept Tommy Freeman in the backline, although even he has shifted from the wing into 13. Fin Smith at 10, Sebastien Atkinson at 12 and Elliot Daly at 15 will be the biggest changes to how England look to play. Chessum and Pollock move to the bench, having started against Ireland, as Borthwick sticks with his 6-2 split on the bench.
Recent Form:
Italy (Home team): L-L-W-W-L
Italy have put in three amazing performances so far this campaign, starting with a win over Scotland. They also put in valiant performances against Ireland and France. Against Ireland, they got a losing bonus point and were on the attack as the clock ticked into the red. Despite the scoreline not looking particularly flattering, they were sitting only 11 points behind with 10 minutes to go.
England (Away team): L-L-W-W-W
England had been on a 12-game winning streak after they powered past Wales in the opening round. At the beginning of the tournament, there were conversations about a Grand Slam run among former players and pundits. They were then defeated heavily by Scotland following a first-half 20-minute red card and suffered a record loss to Ireland at home.
Italy vs England head-to-head record (last five matches):
| Date | Competition | Winner | Score |
| 09/03/25 | Six Nations | England | 47-24 |
| 03/02/24 | Six Nations | England | 24-27 |
| 12/02/23 | Six Nations | England | 31-14 |
| 13/02/22 | Six Nations | England | 0-33 |
| 13/02/21 | Six Nations | England | 41-18 |
England have never lost to Italy. In total, they have played 32 times, England winning all 32. The last time the teams played in Rome, the match finished with a three-point win for England.
How to watch Italy vs England?
Italy vs England will be broadcast on ITV1 in the UK and will be available for streaming on ITVX. In Ireland, the match will be available on Virgin Media One and can be streamed on the Virgin Media PLAY app.
The match will be available on BBC Radio 5 Live in the UK and RTE Radio One in Ireland.
Highlights will be available shortly after the match on the Six Nations YouTube channel.
