England V Italy, Royal Bank Of Scotland 6 Nations Championship

[ChillDoubt]

KO @ 3 p.m.

Ok, I know most of us with any rugby knowledge are expecting a cricket score in this one and rightly so. England have been utterly dominant thus far in the campaign.
Italy have Parisse back after his ban was reduced on appeal but not even one of the best No. 8's in world rugby will prevent what should be a try-fest this afternoon.
That said, hopefully the current inclement weather will prove to be 'a great leveller' as both sides equally succumb to the perils of the elements.

Forza Italia!

[wardlaw]

Don't know what the weather is like in London but if conditions allow for running rugby then I am with you - possible cricket score. Having said that the Italian heads do not go down like the French do. If they try to play 10 man rugby (as England have been known to do in the past) it could be a war of attrition. After boring yesterday let's hope for some enjoyment and excitement.

[ChillDoubt]

I just hope the Italians can keep it below 50.
It's a tough ask and as (mostly) everyone's second favourite team nobody likes to see the relative new boys get a drubbing.

I hope no one gets injured but maybe the Italian's can give the English lads a few bruises to contend with prior to the big game next Saturday!

[boxtops]

Here we go....

[albaqwerty]

Am ready and waiting.

The singer leading the Italian anthem is a bit of a dish, then the usual blooming dirge.

Camera not showing the weather as too bad, but probably bitter cold.

[Nibble]

I'll give Italy 40+ points headstart, but that won't be enough to win, England by 20+ points, IMO, (and I'm Scottish & it hurts to say that).

Enjoy the game!

[murraymints]

Who was she ....bit screachy.....preferred him defo

[ChillDoubt]

12 minutes gone and no try thus far, a sterling effort by the Italians but I would expect the floodgates to open in the second half.

[ChillDoubt]

Italy on the scoresheet is another psychological boost for them!

[murraymints]

Italy doing quite well....

[ChillDoubt]

Well done Italy, 9 points down and no try conceded is a great half-time scoreline.

Shame Clancy hasn't been consistent with the yellow cards (Barrit should have had one for the deliberate knock-on) but then he is one of the poorer refs IMHO.

[ChillDoubt]

An uninspiring England take a 15-3 lead at a rather quiet Twickenham.

Hope England play like this next weekend!

[ChillDoubt]

What a fantastic opportunist try by the Italians! Not converted but it is definitely game on!

[shoota]

Anybody know when England are going to start playing then?

[ChillDoubt]

England look in panic mode.

[ChillDoubt]

England being out-muscled and outplayed and if Italy had a decent kicker they'd be in trouble.

[shoota]

This is what happens when you go into a match anticipating a walkover, you just hang around waiting for the scoring to start and befor you realise it isn't happening you're in danger of going down.

[ChillDoubt]

One might expect England to ease away comfortably now with 15 minutes to go.
They probably will but they can take little comfort from the insipid performance so far.

[shoota]

They'll be hard pressed to put a 'highlights' program together....

[ChillDoubt]

What a fantastic passage of play from the Italians who have knocked on just short of the England line.

[ChillDoubt]

Well, that was a frankly shocking display by England. The scoreline means nothing, Italy are the moral victors and will rightly receive all the plaudits for a gutsy display that wasn't lacking in flair either.
The Twickenham cheers at the end were one's of relief, not victory.

Wales will be buoyed by this result and display and I'm sure there'll be a very, VERY warm welcome next Saturday at the Millenium Stadium.