At the 33rd time of asking, Italy have finally beaten England in a historic masterpiece at the Stadio Olimpico! 🇮🇹
35 years of hurt ended in Rome on Saturday afternoon as the Azzurri stood tall to defeat an arrogant England side that arrived expecting a routine victory. This monumental result marks Italy’s first-ever win over the English since joining the Championship, proving that the gap has officially closed!
😱 England now heads back to Twickenham to face the music after their Grand Slam dreams were shattered in a historic Roman nightmare!
ENGLAND SCORERS
Tries: Freeman (25’), Roebuck (40’)
Conversions: F. Smith (40’)
Penalties: F. Smith (43’, 54’)
ITALY SCORERS
Tries: Menoncello (34’), Marin (71’)
Conversions: P. Garbisi (35’, 72’)
Penalties: P. Garbisi (21’, 58’, 78’)
MATCH STATS
Possession: ITA 48% – 52% ENG
Territory: ITA 45% – 55% ENG
Clean Breaks: ITA 7 – 11 ENG
Defenders Beaten: ITA 15 – 26 ENG
Tackles Made: ITA 153 – 118 ENG
Penalties Conceded: ITA 13 – 8 ENG
CURRY INJURY UPDATE
England’s afternoon started poorly when Tom Curry was forced to withdraw during the warm-up after limping off with a leg injury.
Sam Underhill stepped in at the last minute, but the loss of Curry’s leadership was felt throughout the match.
POST-MATCH COMMENTS
✍️ “We were the architects of our own downfall today. We didn’t respect the challenge Italy posed and we paid the ultimate price.” — Steve Borthwick
✍️ “This is the greatest day in the history of Italian rugby. 32 games of disappointment are gone. Today, we celebrate a new era.” — Gonzalo Quesada
Photos via Getty Images
