Italy claimed a famous first-ever victory over England in a tense Six Nations thriller on Saturday.
The Azzurri triumphed 23-18 in Rome having trailed 12-10 at half-time.
Centre Tommaso Menoncello and replacement Leonardo Marin scored tries while flyhalf Paolo Garbisi kicked 13 points as Italy finally earned a victory over England at the 33rd attempt, and moved above them on the Six Nations log.
England led 18-10 shortly after half-time with Italy hooker Giacomo Nicotera in the sin-bin but their discipline deserted them as Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje also picked up yellow cards.
Tries from centre Tommy Freeman and wing Tom Roebuck were not enough for the visitors, who had made nine changes to the starting XV from their record 42-21 defeat at home to Ireland last time out.
England will travel to France in their final match knowing that they can finish no higher than fourth in this season’s tournament – and could even end up with the wooden spoon – although that remains unlikely due to their points difference advantage over Wales.
When England thrashed Wales 48-7 in their tournament opener, they were on a 12-match winning run that including beating New Zealand in November.
They have now lost their last three.
If Italy beat Wales in Cardiff next weekend, it would be the first time in a Six Nations that they have won three matches, and they could yet finish third, which would be their best final position.
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England dominated possession in the first quarter of an hour but once Italy got the ball in their hands, they immediately looked dangerous and ate up ground.
Garbisi kicked them into a three-point lead on 21 minutes after England gave away a sloppy penalty for offside at their own lineout.
But England had the edge over the feared Italian scrum early on, winning two penalties.
The second one set up England to work an overlap on the left and lock Alex Coles passed to centre Freeman to score the first try of the match.
But Italy were soon back in front after Menoncello ran a superb line to burst between two lumbering England forwards and streak clear for a converted try.
Tommaso Menoncello glides straight through
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— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 7, 2026
After the Scotland-France try-fest earlier in the day at Murrayfield, this match was one for the purists, but it was tense throughout.
With time ticking down at the end of the first half, Italy turned over the ball and England attacked with verve against a disorganised defence before Finn Smith found Roebuck with a cross-kick to score.
Smith kicked the conversion and the visitors led 12-10 at the break.
Italy were guilty of over-playing the ball at the start of the second half and Smith stretched England’s lead with two penalties, while Nicotera was sent to the sin-bin for a cynical infringement.
Just a few minutes later, though, flanker Underhill, who was only in the starting XV because Tom Curry was injured in the warm-up, was given a yellow card for a high shot that survived a bunker review.
Garbisi kicked the penalty and the momentum shifted to the hosts.
The flyhalf knocked another penalty in off the post and England’s lead was 18-16 with 20 minutes left.
England’s discipline deserted them and Itoje was next to be sent to the bin as the penalties racked up, with Garbisi kicking to the corner this time as Italy had a two-man advantage for a few minutes.
But England managed to drag Italy’s catch-and-drive into touch to survive.
But before Itoje could rejoin the action, Italy struck with a brilliant break down the left as Menoncello fed Marin to score the history-making try.
Italy take the lead with less than ten minutes to go
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— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 7, 2026
ITALY – Tries: Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin.
Conversions: Paolo Garbisi (2). Penalties: Garbisi (3).
ENGLAND – Tries: Tommy Freeman, Tom Roebuck. Conversion: Fin Smith. Penalties: Smith (2).
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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