Luger gets England back on track

England 40-5 Italy

Finally England come to life in the second half. Dan Luger sprints over the line to score England’s fifth try. Dawson kicks the conversion.

(55) Jonny Wilkinson is replaced by Charlie Hodgson but the game has become very scrappy. England win a penalty and repeat the successful early tactic of kicking to the corner. This time the Italians win the loose ball from the lineout and clear. Hodgson is injured after only minutes on the pitch and is replaced by Smith. Italy come on strong again but cannot break the English line.

(47) England start the second half brightly and again put pressure on the Italian backline. However, Italy have competed much better since England’s last score and are frustrating the home team and English support..

(40) Italy finally get into the England half. The Italians finally manage to keep possession of the ball and almost score a try but for good work from Dawson who puts in a try saving tackle. The referee blows up for half-time.

(17) England continue to roast Italy and this time Tindall goes over for the try. Wilkinson misses the conversion.

(15) Josh Lewsey breaks for England and easily gets over the try line. Wilkinson kicks the conversion.

(12) This time Simpson-Daniel sprints over the line to compound Italy’s misery. Wilkinson as ever kicks the conversion.

(10 min) England continue their early dominance and continue to probe the Italian defence. Again England kick to the corner from a penalty and from the resulting lineout Steve Thompson powers his way over the line. Again Wilkinson slot over the conversion.

As expected England get off to a strong start against Italy at Twickenham. Wilkinson decides to kick a penalty into the corner and from the resulting lineout Josh Lewsey scores a try on his debut. Wilkinson kicked the conversion.

England:

Lewsey, Simpson-Daniel, Greenwood, Tindall, Luger, Wilkinson, Dawson, Rowntree, Thompson, Morris, Grewcock, Kay, J. Worsley, Hill, Dallaglio. Replacements: Regan, M. Worsley, Shaw, Sanderson, Bracken, Hodgson, Smith.

Italy:

M. Bergamasco, Mazzucato, Vaccari, Raineri, Dallan, Pez, Troncon, De Carli, Festuccia, Martinez, Bezzi, Giacheri, De Rossi, Persico, Phillips. Replacements: Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Bortolami, Palmer, Mazzantini, Peens, Masi.

Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)