By Kath 15/2/04
February 16 2004

England got off to a resounding win over Italy in Rome with a spree of tries and some excellent play. Jason Robinson gaining a 'Hat Trick' and Man of the Match.

England v Italy 15/2/04 - Match Review

Italy 9 - England 50

England got off to a good start in their defence of the 6n Championship with a resounding win over Italy!

However, the score line does not reflect how well Italy played, many times throughout the match Italy pressed England well and demonstrated how they have come on since entering the Home Nations Championship. England did make a few handling errors during the game but nothing to get stressed over, all in all a good performance things to work on but nobody to fear. (I hope)!

Man of the Match - Jason Robinson with a Hat Trick!

Just a min into the game and England had a penalty converted by Paul Grayson, then approaching the 6min Italy had a sweet drop goal.

14mins in Balshaw went over for the first Try of the day dinking and side stepping as only he can, have to say Balshaw is starting to look like the youngster of old - Grayson converted! A further penalty to England approaching the 19th min - Grayson again and Italy came back with one of their own. Score after 20mins Italy 6 - England 13.

Then approaching the 22min Lewsey tearing down the line being pushed out onto the sideline but not before off-loading the ball to Jason Robinson who went over for his first of three tries of the day. At this point England started to look really comfortable - Grayson missed the conversion.

27mins into the game Italy were awarded another penalty which they took and England came back with one of their own again by Grayson on the 35min mark. 38mins Shaw came on for Danny Grewcock.

42mins Jason went over for his second try - but Grayson again failed to convert.

Half Time Score Italy 9 v England 26

44mins in England had a excellent driving maul, they travelled halfway up the field only to lose the ball. To give Italy their due they tried their hearts out and had flashes of brilliance and I certainly would not expect them to take the wooden spoon this year.

50mins in a run down the side line by Ben Cohen, passed off to Gomarsall who just put a foot into touch otherwise England would have had another certain try. 52mins Henry Paul came on for Robinson (who apparently had ripped his finger nail off)!!!

57min A blinding run by Josh Lewsey and over he went for the next try - Grayson converted this one! Balshaw went off and Robinson came back on - and just like magic 62min over he went for his Hat Trick try - Grayson again failed to convert!

63mins onwards well basically the whole bench came on Dawson for Gommers, Regan for Thomson  69 mins Vickery for Leonard and 70 mins Barkley for Grayson.

67 mins England again piling on he pressure and a lovely Fly Half opportunist try was scored by Grayson to the side of the post - Grayson Converted.

With so many changes the play was a bit messy for a short while but England exerted some excellent pressure and produced some good rugby.

77mins Greenwood had a great opportunity but held onto the ball that little bit too long, he really should have off loaded to Lewsey.

And then new boy Chris Jones just yards from the try line, picked up the ball and went over, unfortunately Ollie Barkley failed to convert.

Final Score Italy 9 v England 50

However, that did not matter as the whistle blew and England Rugby World Cup Champions celebrated their first win since the World Cup. England looked strong today and can now look forward to next week's challenge in Scotland and the defence of the Calcutta Cup!

Aye the old enemy will be waiting for them on the battlefield that is Murrayfield.