GEORGE FORD saved England’s blushes as they stuttered to a first Six Nations opening win since 2019.
The fly-half booted 17 points to add to tries from Elliot Daly and Alex Mitchell but Ireland and France won’t be quaking in their boots after seeing this.
GettyGeorge Ford delivered with the boot once again[/caption]
APAlex Mitchell was all smiles as he scored a crucial try in Italy[/caption]
Ford hammered over five penalties and a conversion but Gonzalo Quesada’s Italians made sure this was no Roman holiday.
Northampton wing Tommy Freeman, on his return to the side, was a handful in attack but England were nowhere the standard needed to win this tournament.
Their defence was exposed three times, with the last score from Italian wing Montanna Ioane leaving England all at sea in injury time and left the scoreline too close for comfort.
And the Italians will be dining out on the losing bonus point they grabbed with that last play of the match.
All of England’s chat, in camp in Girona and since Thursday in Rome, has been about flying out of the blocks and getting a fast start to the tournament.
They had not won an opening game since Dublin five years ago, and were desperate to begin quickly – but instead they hit the snooze button.
Italy sprinted to a 10-0 lead, and were 17-14 up at the break but it was hard to believe England were that close.
The defence, now coached by Felix Jones, who won two World Cups with South Africa, went AWOL twice to leak tries for Italian scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi and ex-Harlequins full-back Tommy Allan.
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Daly finished off a good move when Freeman burst through the midfield coming off his wing on 19 minutes but England were not at the races.
Eddie Jones, who was in the crowd ahead of England’s Tests with Japan in June and November, must have been glad he was nowhere near it.
Ford’s boot had kept England in touch and scrum-half Mitchell put them in front when he dummied the Italians, darted through a gap and took two of the hosts over the line with him.
Ford’s conversion made it 21-17 with 45 minutes on the clock and England got a let-off when Allan fluffed a straightforward penalty.
Ford booted another one just before being replaced by new boy Fin Smith then Daly was yellow-carded for a bonkers trip on Italian centre Tommasso Menoncello.
England held on but this was nothing to write home about.
Scorers:
Italy: Tries: A.Garbisi, Allan, Ioane; Cons: Allan (2), P.Garbisi; Pens: Allan
England: Tries; Daly, Mitchell; Cons: Pens: Ford (5)
GettyTommaso Allan scored a wonderful try for the hosts[/caption]
GettyElliot Daly went over for the Red Rose[/caption]
ReutersJamie George and Maro Itoje were relieved to see out the victory[/caption]
GettyEngland will know they must improve to challenge for the Six Nations[/caption]