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England are the favourites to win the competition and are expected to get off to a winning
start in the Italian capital
England kick off their Six Nations campaign with a trip to Rome to face off against Italy on
Sunday.
Eddie Jones' men are the favourites to retain their crown and become the first team in
history to win it three times on the bounce.
Wales and Ireland got their championships off to the perfect start on Saturday when they
defeated Scotland and France respectively.
It should be the same story for England, who are overwhelming favourites to waltz past an
improving Italian side, setting them on their way to a potential final weekend decider with
Ireland at Twickenham.
Ben Te’o returns from the injury wilderness to start for England as Jones looks to add punch
to his midfield, with power ball carriers Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes both lost to
injuries of their own.
Dylan Hartley retains the captaincy and wins his 90th cap. Ben Youngs starts his 56th Test
match - overtaking Matt Dawson’s record of most starts for an England halfback.
Follow all the action as it happens below...
Key Events Off we go
We are underway!
A bit of a bobbly kick-off, but here we go.
On a side note, Alessandro Zanni makes his 100th appearance for Italy here today. He’s
been given a rapturous reception at the Olympic Stadium.
(Image: REUTERS)
Anthems done and we are set to go!
Sergio Parisse looks as intense as always, but he knows he has got his work cut out if Italy
are going to get anything out of this.
Italy definitely win the anthems competition - they were louder and prouder than England!
Teams on the pitch
The teams are on their way out onto the pitch.
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