Key Highlights
- England’s away-day blues – could they finally lose to Italy?
- Recent poor performance and record losses for England in the Six Nations abroad.
- Italy’s improved form under coach Gonzalo Quesada, with strong scrum power and defensive resilience.
- Former England winger Ugo Monye believes this Test will test England’s away record against Italy.
England’s Away-Day Blues
England finds themselves in an unfamiliar position as they head into the Six Nations tournament, facing a series of away-day losses that could culminate in their first defeat to Italy since 1985. The once formidable team now faces a daunting challenge on Italian soil.
Past Performances
England’s recent history abroad has been marred by poor performances and consistent losses, particularly in the Six Nations. Over the past five seasons, England have won only four of their 13 away games, with no wins at Edinburgh, Dublin, or France. This dismal record highlights a significant vulnerability that Italy are eager to exploit.
Italy’s Improved Form
Gonzalo Quesada’s arrival as head coach has transformed Italy into a force to be reckoned with in the Six Nations. Their recent victories against Scotland and Australia demonstrate the team’s improved stamina, defensive resilience, and ability to compete for 80 minutes.
Key Match-up: Scrum Battle
The scrum remains a crucial area of focus. Italy have won more than half of their scrum penalties so far in this tournament, including two against France. England’s own scrum has been impressive but faces a stern test from an Italian pack that showed strength against South Africa and Scotland.
Expert Perspective
Former England winger Ugo Monye offers insights into the upcoming challenge: “Italy are a proper outfit, and they have developed significantly under Quesada. England will need to play with more urgency and avoid starting slowly, as seen in their recent defeats against Ireland and Scotland.”
England’s Response
In response to the setbacks, England made significant changes for the upcoming match against Italy, including nine player switches and three positional switches. Head coach Steve Borthwick has emphasized the importance of this Test, recognizing that a loss would be unprecedented in recent history.
With a must-win scenario on their hands, England will need to bring their A-game to Rome. The team faces not just Italy but also the pressure of potentially losing for the first time in 32 Tests against them. The stakes are high as they aim to reclaim their status as Six Nations contenders.
Italy v England 2026 Six Nations
Saturday, 7 March at 16:40 GMT
