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Anthony Watson crossed in the corner to put Eddie Jones's side into an early lead at
the Stadio Olimpico Scrum-half Ben Youngs was forced off with an injury inside the first ten
minutes and replaced by Danny Care Watson then combined well with fellow wing Jonny
May to score England's second try in the Italian capital Italy responded, however, with
Tommaso Benvenuti scoring with their first meaningful attack on 21 minutes England reestablished
their 10-point advantage thanks to Owen Farrell's well-worked try four minutes
later Back row Sam Simmonds then scored his first of two tries for England as they added
gloss to the scoreline Mattia Bellini scored Italy's second try of the day on 57 minutes
before George Ford crossed 11 minutes later Simmonds and replacement wing Jack
Nowell scored in the final few minutes as England stretched clear
England's ‘three-peat’ crusade was launched in emphatic fashion here, with a bonus-point
victory at the Olympic Stadium inspired by Sam Simmonds, on his championship debut.
Eddie Jones’ national team began their NatWest Six Nations campaign with a win which
justified their billing as favourites for an historic third successive title triumph. They withstood
long spells of spirited Italian resistance before turning a close contest into a one-sided
demolition. England finished with seven tries, including two apiece for Simmonds and
Anthony Watson.
There was one damaging aspect of this impressive result, as scrum-half Ben Youngs went
off on a stretcher, after appearing to suffer damage to his knee early in the first half. The
Leicester player’s audible pain suggested that it may be a serious injury.
Sam Simmonds, making his Six Nations debut for England, inspired the defending
champions to victory over Italy in Rome
Anthony Watson scored two tries inside the first 15 minutes for Eddie Jones's side at the
Stadio Olimpico on Sunday
The Bath and England wing put the visitors into an early lead after good hands from the
likes of George Ford and Ben Te'o
Watson is mobbed by Ben Youngs and Ford after giving England the perfect start in their
Six Nations opener against Italy
Scrum-half Youngs was forced from the field inside only 10 minutes after suffering a nastylooking
injury to his knee
Watson, 23, doubled his and England's tally with a well-taken try following good work from
his opposite wing Jonny May
The wing did excellently to ground the ball without going into touch as England raced into an
early 10-point lead in Rome
But aside from that isolated setback, this was a very good day for Dylan Hartley and Co, in
front of an estimated 20,000 English fans in the Italian capital. Simmonds was relentless in
defence and electric in attack, the whole side went ‘hunting’ with all the aggression they had
promised, while George Ford and Owen Farrell formed a hugely effective 10-12 axis to
unlock the Azurri defence.
This victory perfectly sets the scene for next Saturday’s showdown with Wales at
Twickenham. Warren Gatland’s side were outstanding in their crushing win over Scotland,
but this effort by England suggested that a classic contest is in the offing when the old rivals
collide again.
It took just three minutes for the English campaign to ignite. A scrum penalty near halfway
was kicked to the left corner and the platform was in place. Maro Itoje claimed the lineout
and when the ball was sent in-field, Ben Te’o made a dent to provide forward momentum.
The next phase brought the rapier thrust as George Ford passed to Owen Farrell, looped
around him, took the return pass and released Jonny May, who in turn sent Anthony Watson
scorching into the corner.
Farrell’s conversion struck a post and bounced out, but England maintained their aggressive
start and struck again in the 11th minute. The same high-speed combination did the
damage as May stormed into space on the right and again picked out Watson on the flank.
Bath’s Lions wing surged clear and past the flailing Tommaso Benvenuti to score his second
try, with a sharp finish. Farrell was again unable to add the extras, but the double-figure lead
suggested a rout was on the cards.
(L-R) May, flanker Chris Robshaw and replacement scrum-half Danny Care race to
congratulate the England No 14
England centre Owen Farrell, usually deadly from the kicking tee, missed his first two
conversions in their Six Nations opener