Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Stadio Olimpico

For head coach Steve Borthwick another uninspired and insipid performance, 18 months out from the Rugby World Cup, raises the most awkward and far-reaching questions.

England will go to their final-day meeting with France next week, earmarked as a possible Grand Slam decider at the start of the tournament, as minor characters attempting to somehow avoid their first single-win campaign in Six Nations history.

Thumbs up if you agree. Thumbs down if you don't.

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to ITV: "Credit to Italy, who have come a long way.

"We are gutted. For 60 minutes, we are in control and those two sin-bins hurt us.

"Discipline is a significant factor, it is something we have to improve."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Itoje is right - as players, and especially as captain, they have to own it. He will be furious with himself for that penalty and yellow card. He won't sleep well tonight, and unfortunately, it's only going to get worse. The media will be on him, the fans will be on him and the team, because it is absolutely unacceptable.

England Rugby

England captain Maro Itoje, speaking on BBC 5 Live: "It is disappointing. I think it is on us as players - we have to own the performance. This team has put together good performances over the past year, but recently we haven’t. We have to face the facts and get back to work.

On where things are going wrong: "We have to figure it out. If we knew, we wouldn’t be in this position. We have to stick together. Teams go through tough periods, and we are going through a tough period now, so we have to stick together.

"We have to own the result, and it is a results business. As captain, I take responsibility for that."

Image source, Getty Images

If England do suffer a heavy defeat against France and Wales win big against Italy, Steve Borthwick's side could pick up the Wooden Spoon.

Unlikely, but it is possible.

England Rugby

England captain Maro Itoje, speaking on ITV: "It was disappointing, but it is on us as players. Over the past year, this team has put together some great performances.

"We have to face reality and deliver some good performances.

"We need to stick together and figure it out.

"It's a results business, and we have to take responsibility for that."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

There is no way of getting out of it. Questions need to be asked about England's strategy and methodology - about how they believe the game should be played at this level - because the way England are playing, they are not going to win international matches.

Italy Rugby

Italy captain Michele Lamaro, speaking to ITV: "We felt tension before the game as we were nervous. We were close the whole game.

"We fought together as always.

"We stuck together as a wall in defence."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

England will want the tournament to finish now - let's just write it off. That was a really bizarre performance. They had put themselves in a good position, but in the second half it looked like Maro was getting annoyed at Fin Smith to kick the goals.

They were eight points ahead, and then England gave away an avalanche of errors - a collective collapse. England looked desperate, searching for help, and there was none to be found.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Italy have dug deep and gone to the core of the earth. They were gone, and England had control of the game. What a brilliant game rugby is - how, in all that adversity, a moment from the crowd and the team can spark something in your belly and let you finish off a game like that. We have never seen Italy do that.

They went somewhere different tonight. They deserved that win.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy beat Scotland, ran Ireland close, showed heart against France, and now have beaten England.

That result was coming. Not long ago people were wondering if they were good enough for the Six Nations.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is unacceptable for England to be making that many errors.

History.

Italy have beaten England for the first time.

Success at attempt number 33.

Win this line-out and that will be the game.

Italy have never beaten England.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is boring, unproductive rugby from England. They will never win games playing like this.

Image source, Reuters

Ollie Chessum breaks clear. Here come England, but Italy win the penalty!