Dan Cole scored his fourth international try as England survived a scare against Italy and overcame testing tactics to maintain their 100 per cent record in this season's Six Nations.
England were frustrated by Italy’s approach of not competing at the breakdown, which meant no ruck was formed and offside became irrelevant, and flooding the scrum-half’s passing channels.
Even when Cole crossed for the game’s opening try after 24 minutes, finishing off a rolling maul, Italy continued their ploy and were rewarded with a score on half-time for Giovanbattista Venditti, which sent the Azzurri in 10-5 ahead at the break.
But two quick tries after the break from Danny Care and Elliot Daly gave England control of the game.
Michele Camagnaro’s try cut England’s lead to 17-15 going into the last quarter before Ben Te’o and a brace from Jack Nowell gave England a 10th successive Six Nations win and returned them to the top of the championship table.
Cole completed 71 minutes before he was replaced by Kyle Sinckler while Ben Youngs came on for Care after 52 minutes and Michele Rizzo was a 57th-minute replacement for Italy.
The Six Nations takes a break this weekend before England host Scotland in Round 4 and Rizzo’s Italy host France.
England were frustrated by Italy’s approach of not competing at the breakdown, which meant no ruck was formed and offside became irrelevant, and flooding the scrum-half’s passing channels.
Even when Cole crossed for the game’s opening try after 24 minutes, finishing off a rolling maul, Italy continued their ploy and were rewarded with a score on half-time for Giovanbattista Venditti, which sent the Azzurri in 10-5 ahead at the break.
But two quick tries after the break from Danny Care and Elliot Daly gave England control of the game.
Michele Camagnaro’s try cut England’s lead to 17-15 going into the last quarter before Ben Te’o and a brace from Jack Nowell gave England a 10th successive Six Nations win and returned them to the top of the championship table.
Cole completed 71 minutes before he was replaced by Kyle Sinckler while Ben Youngs came on for Care after 52 minutes and Michele Rizzo was a 57th-minute replacement for Italy.
The Six Nations takes a break this weekend before England host Scotland in Round 4 and Rizzo’s Italy host France.
