Six Nations: England lead Italy at break

Italy 3, England 24 (half-time)

England took control of their Lloyds TSB Six Nations clash against Italy at Stadio Flaminio today thanks to first-half tries from centre Will Greenwood, wing Ben Cohen and full-back Jason Robinson.

But the visitors, who surrendered their Six Nations title to France yesterday, were also guilty of making several unforced errors during a scrappy opening period.

Fly-half Jonny Wilkinson converted all three touchdowns and kicked an early penalty, while opposite number Diego Dominguez contributed Italy’s points through a sixth-minute strike, yet the home side were facing a 14th successive Six Nations defeat.

Grewcock returned to the action four minutes later after being patched up by England’s medical staff, and the visitors quickly struck with their second try.

First-phase possession found its way to Wilkinson, who sent Cohen sprinting through another defensive gap.

It was simple but effective rugby, and Wilkinson’s conversion gave England a commanding 17-3 advantage on 25 minutes.

Dominguez missed an opportunity to reduce the arrears when a 35-metre penalty shot landed short, and Italy enjoyed their best spell, guided by scrum-half Alessandro Troncon and ball-carrying forwards Pucciariello and Mauro Bergamasco.

England comfortably absorbed any threat, storming back upfield, and wing Dan Luger was agonisingly denied a try through Italian lock Mark Giacheri’s brilliant tackle as the visitors pressed ominously.

Three minutes before half-time, England again breached the Italian cover as Bracken’s rifled pass from set-piece play gave Robinson all the ammunition he required to weave his way over through two attempted tackles.

Wilkinson again converted, and England were out of sight at 24-3 ahead approaching the interval.