12 February 2023 , 16:57
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England saw off second half resilience by Italy to record their first win of this year's Six Nations competition with a 31-14 victory at Twickenham.
Three unanswered first half tries through Jack Willis, Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Chessum put the hosts in firm control 19-0 ahead at half-time. However, Italy provided tough resistance in the second half with Marco Riccioni pulling them back into the match with his side's opening try.
The try shocked England back into life and their pressure eventually resulted in the visitors conceded a penalty try. When Allessandro Fusco found a gap in the England defence to score Italy's second try they were given renewed hope.
However, replacement Henry Arundell crossed the whitewash for a fifth England try with seven minutes left on the clock.
England now head to Wales for their third Six Nations match on February 25, where Borthwick's side will look to continue their winning run.
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Both sides were looking to kick-start their Six Nations campaign after being beaten on the opening weekend of the tournament.
After losing his first match as England head coach last weekend Steve Borthwick made changes from the side which suffered a narrow 23-29 defeat at the hands of Scotland for the Calcutta Cup. Marcus Smith was dropped with Owen Farrell moved to play at fly-half with Henry Slade returning at 13 and Willis introduced.
Italy welcomed back winger Edoardo Padovani to strengthen their side which lost 24-29 at home to France in their Six Nations opener.
Owen Farrell started at fly-half for England against Italy (Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)Flanker Willis was brought into the England side two years after suffering a knee injury, which almost ended his playing career in the same Six Nations fixture.
It was fitting that the 26-year-old flanker marked his England return with the games opening try. The Toulouse flanker also played his part in the second try as Ollie Chessum doubled the hosts' advantage.
The England pressure eventually told when the returning Willis capitalised on some poor Italian defending from a line-out and drove for the whitewash for the opening try after 12 minutes. Farrell was faultless with the following conversion kick putting the hosts 7-0 ahead.
Willis was proving the selectors right and also providing a vital part of the England defence as Italy came up against a wall of white shirts in their search for a response.
Jack Willis celebrates after going over for a try (Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)With England pressurising Italy were reduced to 14 men on 27 minutes when Feroni was sent to the sin-bin. From the resulting play Willis carried the ball before recycling for Ollie Chessum to cross the whitewash under the post. Farrell gratefully kicked his second conversion of the afternoon to make it 14-0.
England felt they deserved a third try on 35 minutes with Malins cutting inside from the wing before expertly passing for Jack van Poortvliet to cross under the posts. However, the try was reviewed and Ollie Lawrence was judged to have obstructed the opposition in the build-up.
However, in the following play the Italian defence were helpless as, again from a line-out, England drove over the line with hooker Jamie George dotting the ball. Ferrell sent his kick inches wide leaving the hosts 19-0 ahead.
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Jack van Poortvliet scores England's third try against Italy (Getty Images)Facing an uphill task Italy had been playing without skipper Michele Lamaro since the 23rd minute who was ruled out at half-time after failing his concusion protocol.
However, the visitors gave themselves hope with a first try scored by Marco Riccioni within four minutes of the second half, converted by Tommaso Allan to make it 19-7.
England quickly responded and Simone Ferrari collapsed the hosts' drive for the line resulting in a yellow card and a penalty try which secured a bonus point.
Marco Riccioni celebrates scoring for Italy early in the second half (Getty Images)Despite making a host of changes Borthwick's side looked to increase their advantage and Lawrence almost powered his way through before loosing the ball.
Italy also made changes and replacement Allessandro Fusco found a gap in the hosts' defence for a second try with Allan converting to make it 26-14 with 17 minutes remaining.
Any nerves were settled seven minutes later when Alex Mitchell ran across the defensive line before finding Arundell to score in the corner. Farrell hit the post with his conversion leaving the score at 31-14