[2025 Six Nations] England vs Italy - 9/3/25

[spursincornwall]

And before the start of the six nations I had high hopes we would see Italy really competitive this year, very disappointing for the majority of the tournament (and that is an understatement)

 

[Grizwald]

I know it is but that didn't feel an international test match to me. You can only play what's in front of you but despite the points tally it feels like there's still loads to pick apart. Italy can't put more than 40 mins together if they're lucky.

Don't know how England are in contention to win the title. It wouldn't feel desevered. I can see them getting turned over by Wales in Cardiff next week.

Overall this side doesn't seem to be any better than two years ago?

 

[TommiG88]

Scored some nicer tries than I expected, but a lot to not like about that performance, if we're wanting to genuinely improve

Didn't think Fin Smith lived up to the hype, but then was it just that he pulled strings without getting headline involvements?

He didn’t have the best of games but he was working with Dingwall on his 3rd cap and Daly, a new partnership, outside him.

 

[Rinkadink]

The much maligned Daly had a good game.

No surprise really, he's been excellent in the premiership for some time now.

 

[Ddanno]

I know it is but that didn't feel an international test match to me. You can only play what's in front of you but despite the points tally it feels like there's still loads to pick apart. Italy can't put more than 40 mins together if they're lucky.

Don't know how England are in contention to win the ***le. It wouldn't feel desevered. I can see them getting turned over by Wales in Cardiff next week.

Overall this side doesn't seem to be any better than two years ago?

It's called doing a Wales

 

[McTallshort]

Being serious how anyone can think Morgan starts over the Currys for lions

FTFY

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No surprise really, he's been excellent in the premiership for some time now.

He's also always been an excellent 13 IMO.
Lozowski is another who was criminally underused in England's desperation for a big 13

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He didn't have the best of games but he was working with Dingwall on his 3rd cap and Daly, a new partnership, outside him.

Eh,
He had his club 9, 11, 12 and 14 around him and playing at home vs Italy - arguably couldn't have more favourable conditions in tier 1 rugby

 

[Crash Hamster]

Also the two tries are going distract from how poor Sleightholme was without the ball in his hands - lost every contestable ball and missed several tackles (just like vs Scotland)

You're quite right, but OTOH, I can't be too critical of someone who earned us an effective 14 points. Definitely much room for improvement in defence, but that will come with work.

(Also, I'm guessing he's out of the side when IFW comes back...)

Daly had a good game today. I'm often critical of him (and he made a couple of glaring errors in the Scotland game) but he looked very solid in an improvised midfield.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I saw Dingwall get a lot of credit on social media but I really don't see him stepping up another level

 

[IT157]

I saw Dingwall get a lot of credit on social media but I really don't see him stepping up another level

He was solid but not spectacular.

 

[Grizwald]

It would be the most French thing ever to play like they did yesterday only to get beat at home by Scotland.

 

[Ddanno]

It would be the most French thing ever to play like they did yesterday only to get beat at home by Scotland.

It's the hope that kills you

 

[McTallshort]

And before the start of the six nations I had high hopes we would see Italy really competitive this year, very disappointing for the majority of the tournament (and that is an understatement)

Yeah given what they did last year but they still only have 2 pro teams and they are still above Wales

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I saw Dingwall get a lot of credit on social media but I really don't see him stepping up another level

He had the kind of game I'd expect, good enough to keep the shirt next week as he didn't do anything wrong but he's not someone I'd be looking to be a long term option at 12

 

[Yulia]

And before the start of the six nations I had high hopes we would see Italy really competitive

They were competitive today.Just not that long

 

[TommiG88]

Eh,
He had his club 9, 11, 12 and 14 around him and playing at home vs Italy - arguably couldn't have more favourable conditions in tier 1 rugby

Big change though when you go from Lawrence outside you to Daly. I get where you’re coming from and I didn’t think he had the best of games.

The media would have been going after Marcus if he was at 10

 

[Ddanno]

Thought Marcus had a good game, try aside he was getting people into space and supporting a lot at the breakdown. He lost one kick and collected the other 2-3 that Ita put on him. Fine by me, you're gonna lose kicks now that you can't use blockers.

 

[TommiG88]

Thought Marcus had a good game, try aside he was getting people into space and supporting a lot at the breakdown. He lost one kick and collected the other 2-3 that Ita put on him. Fine by me, you're gonna lose kicks now that you can't use blockers.

Yeah, decent game and did a cracking try saving tackle at the start of the second half

 

[OllyM97]

Italy have massively regressed this year I’m afraid. Conceding nearly 50 points against that England team is shambolic really. They’ve fallen back into bad old habits and they are not fit enough. Some of their attacking play is brilliant but until they cut out those 10-15 minute lapses in games they won’t get anywhere other than scraping the odd win every year. The days of Italy being applauded for scoring some points in a heavy defeat should be a thing of the past. The infuriating thing is that they just gift easy tries away without the opposition having to do anything spectacular.