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It’s a packed stadium here in Rome, as the locals get set for the opening game.
National anthems are set to take place, then the action begins!
Talking point 5: Azzurri making progress?
Conor O’Shea has entered the second year of his reign as Italy coach and while it remains
early days, it is hoped this championship will show signs of his ambition to bring greater
levels of professionalism to the national team.
Their place in the Six Nations remains assured despite calls for relegation, but their record
of 12 bottom-place finishes in 18 tournaments is a statistic that must be improved.
Meanwhile, we are just 10 minutes away from kick-off.
(Image: AFP) Talking point 4: Bonus points bonanza
Italy can be dangerous opening day opponents, ready to spring a surprise when they are at
their freshest and least affected by injury.
England are odds on favourites to leave Rome with a victory from their title defence opener,
but in a Six Nations widely tipped to be among the closest yet, securing the bonus point
could be critical.
(Image: Europe) Sam Underhill warms up before the match (Image: REUTERS)
Talking point 3: Mischief making Azzurri
Jones has described Italy as “mischievous” when reflecting on what they might have up their
sleeves on Sunday.
Last year they bamboozled the champions at Twickenham with their controversial ‘ruckless’
tactics and although a law change means that ploy can never be used on a rugby field
again, England are braced for more surprises.
(Image: AFP) Talking point 2: Number eight void
Te’o’s presence takes on extra importance due to the absence of number eights Billy
Vunipola and Nathan Hughes, England’s most effective sources of momentum.
Vunipola in particular will be missed and into his shoes steps Sam Simmonds, the lighter yet
effective Exeter back row who will be looking to argue his case for inclusion in the next
World Cup squad.
Talking point 1: Over to you, Te'o
Eddie Jones has taken the bold step of selecting Ben Te’o ahead of Jonathan Joseph at
outside centre despite his near four-month absence with a high ankle sprain.
Te’o is a destructive ball carrier who will bring a physical edge to England’s midfield, but a
question mark hangs over his fitness.
(Image: PA) Recap: Wales 34-7 Scotland
Wales made a flying start to the NatWest 6 Nations as they blew Scotland away 34-7 in
Cardiff.
The Scots, without a win in the Welsh capital since 2002, never recovered from conceding
tries inside the first 12 minutes to Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies and full-back Leigh
Halfpenny.
Halfpenny claimed a second touchdown after half-time and added four conversions and two
penalties for a 24-point haul, before wing Steff Evans’ try secured a five-point maximum as
Scotland’s recent resurgence came to a grinding halt.
Substitute back Peter Horne scored a consolation 79th-minute try for Scotland that Finn
Russell converted, but the damage had long been done.
Read more here.
(Image: REUTERS) Recap: France 13-15 Ireland
Johnny Sexton’s incredible drop goal after time ensured Ireland won their 6 Nations opener
15-13 vs France in Paris.
Teddy Thomas’ brilliance to score a try had put the hosts into a 13-12 lead, but the Irish dug
in and remained in the contest.
Sexton scored all of visitors’ points and took on an audacious drop-goal from just inside the
France half to seal a dramatic win.
The thrilling end left the hosts deflated, though Irish full-back Rob Kearney hailed his side’s
finish.
Read more here.
(Image: REUTERS) Italy starting team
ITALY: 15-Matteo Minozzi, 14-Tommaso Benvenuti, 13-Tommaso Boni, 12-Tommaso
Castello, 11-Mattia Bellini, 10-Tommaso Allan, 9-Marcello Violi, 1-Andrea Lovotti, 2-
Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3-Simone Ferrari, 4-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Dean Budd, 6-Sebastian
Negri, 7-Renato Giammarioli, 8-Sergio Parisse