As the Six Nations 2024 tournament approaches. We will be reviewing each squad’s prior performance to gauge how well they will fare going forward. After Italy Vs England 31–14 in their Six Nations 2023 encounter, these are our five key learnings from the game. Rugby fans worldwide are called to book Six Nations 2024 tickets from our online platform ticketing. co. Rugby fans can book Italy Six Nations Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
The top line
England secured a crucial first victory under Steve Borthwick as they defeated a worn-out Italy in a match that faltered. He was unsuccessful in the first half but offered a great deal more fun in the second. It’s simple to say, “It’s only Italy,” in this case. But considering the Azzurri’s previous performance over the past 12 months. This Six Nations victory was far more impactful and convincing than it might initially seem.
In contrast to the looser and more opportunistic approach that we’ve observed with Marcus Smith at No 10 Shirt. Owen Farrell orchestrated a much tighter brand of rugby that demonstrated savvy use of his assets and compassionate tactics.
With a little assistance from the brilliant Ollie Lawrence, who was named Player of the Match. England was able to take full advantage of the coaches’ many wise adjustments. Lawrence completed nine tackles, and ran 10 carries for 80 meters. He made a few handling errors but ultimately gave England a quick advantage in attack when he carried the ball off Farrell’s shoulder.
Eyes on Max Malins
Max Malins was the focal point of all things overhead for England, who also threw shorter and chased the ball far better. England also gave up scoring for extended periods, which allowed Italy to score a lightning-fast back three.
Italy’s performance will disappoint them. Despite another outstanding display from Juan Ignacio Brex in the center and, of course, the prolific Ange Capuozzo at full-back. They lacked the possession and strength they had hoped for.
They will be quite disappointed not so much about the loss as about not being able to execute the shots that they are so capable of doing. Team had their sprinting moments. But they were unable to get anywhere close to the platform they accomplished versus France in Rome last week.
Willis returns
Back-row balance has been an issue for England for some time. Jack Willis’ injury problems have been linked to this issue. His 53 minutes at Twickenham were truly remarkable. Not just in terms of his contribution but also in terms of the goal and instance he set for others to follow. It was always a matter of “he could” rather than any kind of hard evidence.
His stats are impressive by any standard try, 22 collisions. One of which was particularly domineering, seven carries for 63 meters, and a turnover but more importantly. His presence on the field seemed to buoy his teammates, giving them a sense of confidence and a leader for their defense (and occasionally, attack).
Around him, Alex Dombrandt went back to running hard and direct without trying the miracle plays. While Lewis Ludlam was once again successful. Ludlam is a man who constantly makes tough meters when alternatives are restricted and strikes tackle after the attack in the cause.
The brilliant Willis, England’s openside. He gave the loudest snarls, suggesting that the pack was finally starting to bite after Maro Itoje raised his game in response to some harsh criticism earlier in the week. Rugby fans can book Italy Vs England Tickets on our website at exclusively discounted prices.
Going back to the fundamentals
The England defense and lineout this weekend truly resembled the considerate ideas of Kevin Sinfield and Borthwick, in contrast to last weekend. With Willis in peak condition. He organized the attack from the 10/12 channel, enlisting the help of the strong. He motivated teammates in the outstanding Lawrence and Itoje. They were once again wreaking havoc in both close contact and ruck situations. Importantly.
Italy was unable to formulate a significant evacuation strategy due to its swift and strong defense. The Italian kicking options in clearance were limited to their 10. It further exacerbated the Azzurri’s problems in their half due to the increased speed. Italy frequently wastes yards by throwing back to an expert kicker in their own 22.
Rather than having the acting half-back clear the ball at the moment of contact. It keeps them stuck in their half for extended stretches of the game. In rugby, a week is a long time. Borthwick has spent a lot of it practicing his renowned stepladder lineout. It was far more effective than it was against Scotland.
Working mostly off a similar five-man pod as the previous week, diversity was the theme of the day. Breakaway moves utilizing Willis as a turn to assist in the big rushing of Dombrandt and Lawrence. Or extending past 15 meters to get offside out of the game, were examples of this.
It was evident that England had made enormous progress in just seven days in resolving the problems. They faced Scotland when Ollie Chessum, Itoje, and Ludlam didn’t lose a ball all day and used the maul as a key component of their attacking plan.
Italian weariness
Italy’s snap and drive on the scrum involvement was negated by a slow shove by referee James Doleman. He was very demanding around the scrum and fell apart and slowed down the game in the pursuit of accuracy over speed.
This prevented Italy from getting the anticipated advantage in a spot of the set-piece that they controlled France in last weekend.
Their large gain line runners found themselves isolated. By lacking momentum due to a lack of depth in their run onto the ball throughout the carry. Particularly in the first half, which was dominated by the England defense under Willis. Alessandro Fusco scored a touchdown after Brex’s great oblique run set up field position in the second half.
Brex and Capuozzo, Italy’s two best backs, gave it their all in an attempt to make a comeback. They will undoubtedly be better for the experience. But Kieran Crowley and Michele Lamaro will be extremely disappointed with the performance they put on. It was just too little, too much; a combination of worn-out legs, and a bad exit strategy. An inability to get the game into hold was in stark contrast to last weekend.
England continues to work
Although it will take time for Borthwick’s commitment to detail to turn this team around. We witnessed the first signs of solid training and squad time spent together. Remarkable was the way Farrell controlled the game and placed his players in advantageous situations. Small things, like Malins’ impact during restarts or Itoje’s lineout calls, began to go well.
It was similar to witnessing a “work in progress” come to fruition, and many valuable lessons were extracted. Henry Slade’s inaccurate passing frustrated fans once more at number 13. Even though one of his more careless passes nearly led to a try for Jack van Poortvliet. Malins held up the entire Italian defense before passing back to Van Poortvliet, who scored.
But Lawrence was adjudged to have impeded an Italian defender, so the score was disallowed. Still, Slade needed to get better because he blew hot and cold. With Henry Arundell and Alex Mitchell teaming up in the closing moments to score a beautiful try in the corner.
England will be thrilled with the display of their bench. The combined efforts of the 23 English players included contributions from Dan Cole, Ben Earl, and Nick Isiekwe, which added up to the final score.
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