England strengthened their Six Nations title hopes with commanding 47-24 victory over Italy at Allianz Stadium on March 9, 2025. A sold-out crowd of 81,681 witnessed the home side triumph as they displayed the kind of rugby many fans have been calling for over the last few rounds.
The match was marked by ideal weather conditions, with temperatures reaching 21 degrees Celsius, contributing to the entertaining display from both sides. England scored seven tries, led by impressive performances from players like Fin Smith, who managed to convert six of these scores with remarkable precision.
England’s tries came from Tom Willis, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Tom Curry, and Ben Earl. The Azzurri also showcased their attacking talent with tries from Ange Capuozzo, Ross Vintcent, and Tommaso Menoncello, combining flair and determination.
The game started positively for England, with the first half showcasing their attacking prowess. Willis opened the scoring, displaying great awareness after capitalizing on mistakes by Italy. His effort, followed closely by tries from Freeman and Sleightholme, put England firmly on the front foot early.
Italy responded with resilience, as Capuozzo and Vintcent crossed the line, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats. Italian fly-half Paolo Garbisi, who played incisively, converted both tries and added a penalty to narrow the scoreline to 21-17 before halftime.
After the break, England came out firing. Following the injury to Ollie Lawrence, who left the pitch early, Marcus Smith stepped up and made his mark. Quickly putting points on the board, Smith's try alongside Curry's underlined England's intent to seal the match. The momentum was undeniable, and England’s fourth and fifth tries from Sleightholme emphasized their dominance.
Sleightholme, who received standout player ratings of 9, showcased his skills by scoring two tries, effectively demonstrating his swift footwork and vision. Meanwhile, Fin Smith’s performance was also noteworthy, earning him an 8 for his game management and flawless kicking, until the last kick went awry, but this was just a minor blemish on his overall display.
England's captain on the day, Maro Itoje, and his defensive strategy helped shape the game, with the forward line significantly impacting the outcome. The physicality of England’s pack proved to be too much for Italy at times, disrupting their flow and forcing errors.
While England's offense was sharp, Italy showed flashes of brilliance, especially through Capuozzo. His creativity and pace were on full display as he maneuvered through the English defense to score one of Italy’s tries, earning praise from many rugby analysts. The Azzurri’s fight and spirit throughout the match were commendable, indicating their growth as they continue to develop under pressure.
Looking at the statistics, England had 362m gained from post-metre carries compared to Italy’s 511m. These numbers reflect the intensity and action-driven play of the match—fast-paced with frequent chances for both teams.
Post-match reaction centered around England's improvement and tactical responsiveness, buoying their chances heading to Cardiff for their next clash against Wales. Head coach Steve Borthwick has been credited for fostering this growth as England finds themselves second on the Six Nations table with 15 points—behind France, who sit atop the standings.
England requires another similar performance against Wales next weekend to maintain their title ambitions. Fans hold hope for Scotland to upset France, which would open the door for England to clinch the championship—a task reminiscent of past Super Saturdays.
Overall, this match was not only pivotal for points on the board but also revitalized optimism among the fanbase, showcasing their favored attacking style and being back to winning ways. England are on the rise, building momentum as they chase Six Nations glory.