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England's 2023 Six Nations campaign was a poor one by their standards as they finished fourth with a 2-3 record. Their tournament started with a home defeat to Scotland before unconvincing wins over Italy and Wales kept their title hopes alive. Those hopes were firmly dashed by France, who stormed Twickenham with a seven-try 53-10 demolition before Ireland capped a perfect Championship with a 29-16 win at home. England found the winning edge in the World Cup as they went unbeaten through pool play before they edged Fiji 30-24 in the quarter finals. While their campaign would come to an end to eventual Champions South Africa after a 16-15 loss in the semi finals the Roses would bounce back to beat Argentina to secure a creditable third placed finish.

Menoncello takes another strong midfield carry up to the England 10m line. Italy then look to work it to the left but an errant pass stunts their progress. Itoje however is caught offside and Allan will line up for goal from 42m out. 

Freeman and Underhill take runs inside 15m as England work it to the left. Chessum takes a carry towards the posts before Mitchell takes a sniping run down the short side and unloads to Itoje who is tackled 5m out. 

Roots takes clean possession from the lineout as England set up a maul. Italy defuse it well as Underhill peels off and has a crack for the line. 

England shift it right where Freeman cuts back and is stopped close to the line. They continue to hammer away under penalty advantage but a knock on stunts their progress. The referee brings play back to the penalty and Ford will shoot for goal from 15m out and just to the right of the posts. 

Ruzza gets up and contests the lineout as Negri takes it into contact on his 5m. Garbisi's clearing kick isn't his best as it goes into touch 10m out from the corner. 

England will be happy to be within three points at the break after a strong first half display by Italy. Ethan Roots carried powerfully on debut while in the backs Freddie Steward was safe under the high ball. Tommy Freeman and Elliot Daly were dangerous with ball in hand and it came as no surprise that that duo combined for the Roses' only try. 

Garbisi zips off to the left and sends Ioane on a threatening run inside the 22m. England are penalised after Itoje is caught offside at the breakdown. Allan opts for the shot at goal from to the left of the posts. 

UPDATE: Italy have been forced into some late changes on Friday, with Ange Capuozzo and Edoardo Iachizzi dropping out of the matchday squad. Lorenzo Pani is elevated from the bench and starts on the right wing, while Alessandro Izekor joins the bench alongside Federico Mori.

Izekor fails to take the lineout cleanly as England dive on the loose ball. Cunningham-South reclaims possession from an accurate box kick before Ioane gets across and puts him into touch with a textbook tackle around the ankles. 

Brex takes a direct carry before Izekor finds space down the right edge. Menoncello surges inside 40m before Izekor takes another carry. 

Italy receive a relieving penalty at the breakdown after Itoje is penalised for side entry. Garbisi finds touch 45m out. 

Italy's defence holds firm for a handful of phases before Ford puts in a poor chip kick that is claimed by Garbisi. Roots is penalised at the breakdown for not supporting his body weight and Garbisi finds touch 41m out. 

Tommaso Menoncello carried strongly in the midfield to get Italy on the front foot while Paolo Garbisi's distribution skills caused England a few headaches on the edges. Ignacio Brex's late offloading ability was a key feature in the lead up to both tries as he sent Lorenzo Cannone steaming through a gap to set up Alessandro Garbisi. For the Azzurri's second try, Brex took it deep into the line before he offloaded to Garbisi who wrapped around to send Menoncello away to set up Tommaso Allan. 

England hammer away inside the Italian 22m before an errant pass hits the deck. Menoncello rushes up to hack it ahead and his pressure forces a knock on by Freeman. Italy with the scrum 10m short of halfway. 

England's maul rumbles forward a few metres before Italy put pressure on Mitchell, who puts in a box kick to Ioane who takes it well 42m out. 

Italy shift it into the midfield where England rush up in defence to thwart any chance of an overlap. An error follows before Daly's cross field kick goes into touch on the full. There is no advantage so England will have the scrum 38m out. 

Itoje leaps to claim possession outside his 22m before Mitchell puts in a box kick that is claimed by Brex 47m out. 

Ford converts from 10m in from the left touchline. 

England get their maul inching forward a few metres before Care's box kick is regathered 30m out. Roots takes a carry before Ford puts in a threatening chip that is also regathered by the Roses on the right. Italy are then penalised in the midfield for not rolling away at the breakdown where Ford will look to push England clear as he shoots for goal from 30m out. 

THE WINGERS COMBINE FOR ENGLAND'S FIRST! Roots brings it back with gusto from the dropout before England swing it left where Freeman cuts off his left foot and slices through the whole. He gets on the outside of Garbisi and offloads to Daly who dives over to score in the corner. 

The anthems have been completed and we are almost set to get underway at Stadio Olimpico. Paul Williams is the referee for this one. 

England tap back the lineout against the throw before Mitchell puts up another box kick that is knocked on by Pani. Roots regathers and is tackled 25m out as England go onto attack. 

Italy take down the restart inside their 22m before Garbisi's box kick is claimed by Itoje 30m out. England shift it wide to the left where Slade is cut down on the 22m. 

Italy brought plenty of endeavour to the contest in the first half with Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Paolo Garbisi and Tommaso Allan all impressing. In the second they struggled to get any momentum against a vastly improved England side but Monty Ioane's late try ensured they outscored their opposition three tries to two. The three-point margin is the Azzurri's closest defeat and the 24 points they scored is a record in 31 previous encounters against England. 

England win the lineout against the throw before they work it into the middle of the park. Ford puts up a high kick that is taken well by Allan who is tackled by Daly 15m short of halfway. 

TEAM NEWS: England - Steve Borthwick has made nine changes to the side that edged Argentina 26-23 to finish third at last year's Rugby World Cup. Joe Marler and Jamie George join Will Stuart in the front row with Theo Dan and Ellis Genge moving to the bench. New Zealand-born Ethan Roots will make his debut on the blindside where he joins Sam Underhill and Ben Earl in the loose forwards. Freddie Steward is the only player retained in the backline as he shifts to fullback with Elliot Daly and Tommy Freeman on the wings. Alex Mitchell partners George Ford in the halves. Northampton's Fraser Dingwall debuts at second-five with Henry Slade at centre. Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Fin Smith (Northampton) and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter) are in line for potential debuts from the bench.

Slade puts in a deep cross kick that is claimed by Pani. A kicking duel ensues before Italy shift it wide inside their 22m. Varney settles things down with a good touch finder near halfway. 

England reach 11 phases before Chessum is denied as he has a crack for the line from close range. They are under penalty advantage and Ford pops it into touch 5m out. 

Ford's dropout spills off hands into touch where Italy will have the lineout 40m out. 

Italy reclaim possession from a shallow restart but are forced back on their side of halfway by good rush defence. Itoje gets over the ball at the breakdown and the Azzurri are penalised for holding on. Ford kicks deep and finds touch 6m out. 

Care has a snipe for the line before Dan is contained to the right of the posts. England continue to hammer away as Smith is contained by Lamaro, who is penalised and sin binned for persistent offside infringements. 

Italy swing it into the midfield where Fischetti takes it into contact. They attempt to swing it left through Allan, whose pass is knocked on by Slade before Lamaro also knocks on. Italy with the scrum 42m out. 

England produced a dominant second half display to run out 24-27 winners over Italy in an entertaining clash in Rome. Trailing 17-14 at halftime, England struck the lead in the 45th minute when Alex Mitchell slithered over to score after he went on a searching run to the left. Two penalties to George Ford either side of a miss by Tommaso Allan proved pivotal as England pushed out to a 10-point lead with 13 minutes remaining. The Azzurri never gave up and deservedly gained a bonus point for a close defeat when Monty Ioane streaked away for a consolation try in injury time. 

Mitchell puts in a box kick from just outside his 22m that is claimed by Brex on halfway. Italy then shift it left to Menoncello who straightens things up before Garbisi's kick is taken by Daly on the rebound. A kicking duel follows before Freeman sprints back into contact 30m out. 

England swing it into the midfield where Earl takes it into contact before Steward is contained on the right. Marler and Stuart take further carries but the Azzurri defence holds firm as Chessum is penalised for holding on. Garbisi finds touch 22m out. 

England earn a free kick for an early engage. They opt for another scrum. 

Ford lands the penalty from 38m out right in front. 

England work through a couple of phases through their forwards before Mitchell clears to touch from the base just outside the 22m. 

Garbisi converts from 8m in from the right touchline.

ITALY FINISH ON A HIGH! Italy reclaim possession from a Garbisi cross kick before they swing it back to the right where Ioane is ankle tapped by Roots. He isn't held and gets up to go again as he slices through the gap on a 48m run to score to the right of the posts. 

England opt for a 5m scrum but are penalised after Obano is pinged for angling in. Italy find touch 11m short of halfway. 

Menoncello powers inside 40m before Italy swing it wide right to Pani who is rounded up near the touchline. Garbisi then puts in a cross kick to the left that is regathered by Ioane who is ushered into touch 23m out. 

Allan lands the penalty from 42m out and 15m in from the left touchline. 

TEAM NEWS: Italy - New coach Gonzalo Quesada has made four changes and three positional switches to the side that lost 60-7 to France in last year's World Cup. Danilo Fischetti and Gianmarco Lucchesi come in at loosehead prop and hooker respectively in the only changes to the pack. In a rejigged backline, Alessandro Garbisi slots in at halfback for Stephen Varney who moves to the bench. Tommaso Menoncello's inclusion at second-five sees Paolo Garbisi move into first-five. Tommaso Allan drops back to fullback which sees Ange Capuozzo move across to the right wing. 

Italy will head to Dublin to take on Ireland in Round 2 next Sunday afternoon. England will host Wales at Twickenham next Saturday evening. 

England take down the restart on their 22m before they centre play slightly for Mitchell to clear to touch 5m short of halfway. 

Daly has been sent to the sin bin for a foot trip on Menoncello. Garbisi finds touch from the penalty 35m out. 

Italy hammer through plenty of phases before they find space on the left as they work it inside the 22m through Mori. Great work at the breakdown by Roots sees England awarded a penalty for holding on. Slade finds touch 47m out. 

That's all we have for this one. Stay with Tribe for the clash between Wales and Scotland which gets underway shortly in Cardiff. This is Anthony Morgan signing off. 

Lamaro and Garbisi combine with Cannone who loses possession in contact. England counter before Roots takes it inside 40m down the left touchline. 

England produce a powerful eight-man shove as Italy are penalised for angling in. Ford will shoot for goal from 38m out right in front. 

Italy win a penalty against the feed after Spagnolo puts pressure on Cole, who collapses on the tighthead side. Garbisi finds touch 25m out. 

With the clock running down, Ioane tries to spark something on the left but the ball spills into touch. England with the lineout 15m out. 

Garbisi clears to touch as Freeman goes quick to Steward who surges inside the 22m. England then swing it through the hands to the left where Slade cuts back infield 15m out. 

GARBISI SCORES THE OPENING TRY! Italy shift it into the midfield where Brex pops a brilliant offload that puts Lorenzo Cannone into the clear. His offload comes off Alessandro Garbisi's knee and the halfback regathers before he streaks away to score under the sticks. 

England work through eight phases but Italy's defence holds firm. Cannone is penalised for not supporting his body weight at the breakdown. Ford will shoot for goal from 22m out to the right of the posts. 

Italy get us underway with the kickoff to the right where England take it down through Itoje inside their 22m. Italy are penalised for not releasing the tackled player in the maul and Ford finds touch 40m out. 

England get the second half underway with a high kickoff to the right. Ruzza fumbles it backwards before Itoje knocks on attempting to regather. Italy with the scrum just inside their 22m. 

Both front rows go down. We will have a reset. 

Italy earn a free kick for an early engage as Varney taps and spreads it to the right. Brex beats one defender on a shift back to the left before Ioane knocks on at the back of the ruck. England with the scrum just short of halfway. 

Lucchesi goes deep with the lineout throw for Brex who knocked on under pressure as he was about to burst into a hole. England with the scrum 12m short of halfway. 

Ethan Roots was a standout on debut for England with plenty of powerful carries and some solid work at the breakdown. England lifted their intensity in all areas of their game after halftime and should have won by more such was their dominance in the second half. Alex Mitchell impressed at halfback with his sniping runs and accurate kicking game while at the back Freddie Steward defused plenty of high balls in an assured display. 

Ford makes no mistake with the penalty from 15m out and just to the right of the posts.

These two countries have met on 30 occasions since 1991 with England winning all 30. On Italian soil they have won 12/12 with six of those wins coming at Stadio Olimpico. Italy haven't scored 20 points in a match against England since 2001.

We will have a TMO check for a potential foot trip by Daly on Menoncello.

Despite going winless Italy were much more competitive in last year's Six Nations as they pushed France to the wire in a 29-24 defeat in Rome in their opening match. The Azzurri were far from disgraced in any of their matches with their largest margin of defeat being just 17 points against England at Twickenham. Italy's World Cup campaign started well with solid wins over Namibia (52-8) and Uruguay (38-17) in Pool A. Their finish however wasn't the best as the All Blacks ran in 14 tries in a 96-17 demolition before France also piled on the points in a 60-7 victory in Lyon. Back on home soil in Rome expect Italy to put up a much more competitive showing this afternoon as they look to snap a 30-match winless run against England. 

England get their maul moving forward before they swing it left to Smith who is tackled 10m out. Dan rumbles up to the 5m before Cunningham-South spills possession in contact. Italy however are caught offside so England will reload with a 5m lineout. 

Welcome to Tribe's coverage of the 2024 Six Nations Championship. Today we have the Round 1 clash between Italy and England from Stadio Olimpico in Rome. I am Anthony Morgan and I will have all the action for you.

CHAMPAGNE RUGBY FROM ITALY! Ioane claims Freeman's kick before Italy swing it wide to the right where Garbisi wraps around Brex to create an overlap. He sends Menoncello away down the right edge before he draws it inside to Allan who brings it around to score under the posts. 

Cannone takes a carry outside his 22m before Garbisi's box kick is partially charged. Ford gathers 40m out before Roots takes a strong carry in the midfield. Slade's high kick is marked by Allan inside his 22m and he clears downfield.

Both front rows go down straight away. We will have a reset. 

Italy take down the restart near the touchline inside their 22m. Garbisi puts in a shallow box kick that is tapped back by the Azzurri as the ball spills into touch. England with the lineout 23m out. 

Ford sneaks his penalty attempt inside the right hand upright to close the gap to three just before halftime. 

England shift it wide left to Daly who pops in a threatening chip over the top. The bounce is a kind one for the Azzurri as Alessandro Garbisi passes it back to his brother who kicks it dead to take us to halftime. 

England earn a scrum feed after the ball pinballs off one Italian players head into another where accidental offside is ruled. 

England work through nine phases before Ford puts in a poor chip kick that is claimed by Alessandro Garbisi. Italy kick downfield where Steward collects and his kick rolls into the Azzurri in-goal where it is forced for a goal line dropout. 

Ford lands the penalty from 30m out right in front. 

Earl takes down the restart inside his 22m as England work through a couple of phase through their forwards. Mitchell clears from the base to touch 40m out. 

Italy scored two tries to one in an eventful first half and will take a 17-14 lead over England into halftime. Tommaso Allan opened the scoring with a fifth minute penalty before the Azzurri extended their lead to 10 points in the 12th minute through a well taken try to Alessandro Garbisi. George Ford got England on the board in the 16th before Tommy Freeman sliced into a hole and combined with wing partner Elliot Daly to close the gap to two points after 20 minutes. A long range movement started by Paolo Garbisi and Tommaso Menoncello was finished off by Allan as Italy kicked away again only for England to peg the gap back to three through two Ford penalty goals. 

Italy maul it inside the 22m before Menoncello takes a solid carry. Garbisi rolls in a grubber to the left that is collected by Daly under pressure. Mitchell then clears from the base to touch near halfway. 

England go deep with the lineout where Coles makes an error as he looks to burst onto it. Italy with the scrum 5m short of halfway.

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