England will face Italy at Twickenham's Allianz Stadium on March 9, 2025, aiming for a bonus-point victory to bolster their hopes for the Six Nations title. The match kicks off at 3:00 PM GMT, and England's head coach Steve Borthwick knows the stakes are high. With three consecutive wins needed to keep their championship aspirations alive, England must secure maximum points against the Azzurri.
This fixture is marked by England's impressive record against Italy, having never lost to them across 31 meetings since the Six Nations began. Last year, England managed to clinch victory with a narrow 27-24 win in Rome, but Italy's performance has shown significant improvement, especially with their spirited win over Wales earlier this season.
Despite the task at hand being seemingly favorable for England, pressure hangs over Borthwick's squad due to recent performances, including wins marred by the crowd's discontent at Twickenham. The team's style of play has drawn criticism, with fans expressing their frustration through boos during close encounters, particularly during their last outing against Scotland.
England's squad for the match features five players from Northampton Saints, showcasing the club's strong influence on the current squad dynamics. Borthwick has been forced to make some tough decisions, including dropping Marcus Smith to the bench and splitting the successful partnership of Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade, placing Fraser Dingwall at center and Elliot Daly at full-back for the match.
Italy enters this clash after suffering significant losses, including their recent 73-24 defeat against France. They are determined to bounce back, making several changes to their lineup, including giving Matt Gallagher, the son of former All Blacks player John Gallagher, his Six Nations debut on the wing.
Italy's coach, Gonzalo Quesada, has made six changes aimed at addressing the team's vulnerabilities exposed during their last match. Among the changes, Ange Capuozzo returns to full-back, with Paolo Garbisi leading the team as scrum-half. Italy hopes their dynamic midfield pairing of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex can pose challenges for England's defense, which has been shaky at times this season.
With world rankings placing England at No. 6 and Italy at No. 10, the stakes are clear. England’s current tally stands at 10 points, adhering to the hopes of achieving the title they have not captured since 2020. To stay competitive, they must not only win but also earn the bonus points necessary to match the leaders.
Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM, and fans can tune in to the live broadcast on ITV1 starting at 2:15 PM GMT. Various streaming platforms will also provide access, including ITVX, RTÉ Player, and FranceTV, allowing fans worldwide to follow the action.
The fervor of the afternoon will not only revolve around the Six Nations table but also commemorates Jamie George’s milestone of earning his 100th Test cap. The former captain's experience is expected to bolster England’s efforts as they aim for nothing less than victory against Italy.
England's rich rugby tradition puts them on high alert against Italy, who aspire to secure their first-ever Six Nations victory over them. Players like Capuozzo and the promising duo of Menoncello and Brex offer Italy tactical flexibility, setting the stage for what could be both teams' pivotal moment as they aim to rewrite history.
Despite many predicting another win for England, rugby is famously unpredictable. Fans hope for a strong performance from both teams to make this match not just another routine fixture but one for the ages. With the right combination of tactics and fan support, England has the chance not just to win but to impress and regain the crowd's full backing at Twickenham.