Alex Coles is unable to hold the ball as he comes down from the line-out. That penalty was a likely three points.

A risk that did not pay off.

Ben Earl smashes his way forward after some sharp hands. Penalty for England and into the corner it goes.

Elliot Daly is the next player to kick it....

Ben Spencer dribbles the ball into touch. So much kicking, but good kicking. Italy win the line-out and clear their lines.

All England so far.

Image source, Getty Images

Again Cadan Murley wins it. England's kicking game has been excellent. Here is the first scrum.

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

What a wonderful way to start the game. Good contact but a calmness across the field.

Cadan Murley wins the ball back in the air. Great start by England.

England deal with the kick-off and go to the air. Expect a lot of that.

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

England know they are up against it and they know they have to meet this Italian fire.

Another cracker? Here we go!

Image source, gett

Image source, Getty Images

Italian twins Lorenzo Cannone (lock) and Niccolo Cannone (number eight) are two players to keep an eye on.

BBC Sounds

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Our very own Chris Jones and 2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson are on comms.

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Chris Jones
BBC rugby union correspondent at Stadio Olimpico

Everyone in here was glued to that Scotland and France game. I have never seen a tournament so unpredictable and compelling.

Harlequins' Cadan Murley is back on the wing for England after missing out on selection in November.

The 26-year-old made his international debut against Ireland in last year's Six Nations, earning three more caps on England's summer tour.

"When you are not selected, you have that extra motivation to try to get into the starting team," Murley told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.

"The competition is so high in training and I love being in there.

"It has been a long road since my last game, but I am excited to get out there.

"Now that I've got my chance, I want to prove what I can do."

Image source, Getty Images

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Stadio Olimpico

The Stadio Olimpico stadium announcer does that first name-surname call-and-response schtick to detail the line-ups to the crowd.

It goes down a storm. The sky has darkened, a set of pyro and fizzing fireworks streak towards the rafters and there is a soprano hitting the high notes in the centre of the pitch.

It feels very, very Italian out there.

England captain Maro Itoje played 80 minutes in 30 successive Six Nations matches until he started on the bench in round one of this year's championship.

Itoje, who is yet to play a full game in this year's Six Nations, has had a stop-start season in 2025-26, featuring in all four autumn internationals but sustaining an injury in the last of those, against Argentina.

He also missed the start of the Six Nations training camp in Girona to attend his mother Florence's funeral in Nigeria.

"I am fit, healthy and ready to go," he told BBC Rugby Union Weekly.

"I can't comment on tactical decisions but Steve [Borthwick] always does what is best for the team.

"As captain I also want to do what is best for the team."

Ben Earl, on his 50th cap, is first out at Stadio Olimpico.

Danny Care
Former England scrum-half on BBC Rugby Union Weekly

I am confident that England will win.

I hope we are then sitting here next week discussing how Scotland and Ireland were just a blip.

If they don’t, then the conversation gets a little sticky.

Italy will have a spring in their step and will absolutely believe they can win.

There is only one stat that matters in this one.

Played 32, won 32. England have never lost to Italy.

Will that great record be broken?