England player ratings vs Italy: 4/10 woeful in latest Six Nations disaster | Rugby | Sport
England took on Italy in their penultimate Six Nations match. (Image: Getty)
England’s Six Nations campaign has gone from bad to worse after a 23-18 defeat to Italy, their third loss in a row under Steve Borthwick. Second-half yellow cards to captain Maro Itoje and Sam Underhill helped turn the tide back towards the hosts in Rome, who took advantage.
With Borthwick under increased pressure following a disastrous few weeks, recording their first-ever defeat to Italy and would-be challengers turning to a team that could only muster a victory against basement side Wales. Here, Express Sport rate the English and Italian teams in the final Week 4 fixture…
DALY – Provided some invention with the boot in attack but beaten for pace for Italy’s first try. 5.
ROEBUCK – Came off wing looking for the ball and finished the first-half score nicely. 5.
FREEMAN – Back at centre and back in try-scoring mood, but a better wing than centre. 5.
ATKINSON – Handed a third cap to bring some punch to midfield but got lost in Rome. 5.
MURLEY – Had some success winning the high ball back and was lively enough on return. 5.
F.SMITH – Finally got a start and neat change of direction with a cross kick for Roebuck’s score. 6.
SPENCER – Kicked well from hand as he does for Bath every week and showed experience. 5.
GENGE – Twice treated for a head cut but scrummed as well before his second half exit .5.
GEORGE – Brought back to add leadership and went deep in the game in a heroic effort. 6.
HEYES – Missed Menoncello for Italy score but that’s not his job, scrummed well. 5.
ITOJE (CAPT) – Back to his best, turning the ball over, but a crazy yellow card. 4.
COLES – A heavyweight effort from the Northampton man and good hands set up Freeman’s first-half score. 6.
PEPPER – Couple of big carries and wipe-out hits and got around the park well. 6.
UNDERHILL – Late promotion to the starting line-up but a high shot cost him a yellow. 5.
EARL – 50th cap and England’s most consistent performer, was carrying for fun again. 7.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie 3 (for George 77), Rodd 4 (for Genge 57), Davison 4 (for Heyes 67), Chessum (for Underhill 67), Cunningham-South N/A, Pollock 3 (for Earl 76), Van Poortvliet 4 (for Spencer 57), M.Smith 3 (for Daly)
Sam Underhill was shown a yellow card in the second half. (Image: Getty)
Italy: Pani 7; Lynagh 8, Brex 7, Menoncello 9, Ioane 8; P.Garbisi 8, A.Garbisi 8; Fischetti 6, Nicotera 7, Ferrari 7, N.Cannone 6, Zambonin 7, Lamaro (capt) 8, Zuliani 8, L.Cannone 7
Replacements: Di Bartolomeo 6 (for Nicotera 63), Spagnolo 6 (for Fischetti 57), Hasa 6 (for Ferrari 50), Ruzza 5 (for Zambonin 49), Favretto, Fusco 6 (for A.Garbisi 50), Marin (for Brex 50), Allan
