RBS 6 Nations preview: Italy v England

By Tadhg Peavoy

Last season’s 22-21 victory over France in Stadio Flaminio was the Azzurri’s first victory over Les Bleus in the RBS 6 Nations; this Saturday, they will hope to scalp the other European giant, and this time the scene of gladiatorial battle will switch from Stadio Flaminio to Stadio Olimpico, Italian rugby’s new temporary home.

<notforsyndication>Follow all the RBS 6 Nations action this weekend on RTÉ.ie/Sport with our live Matchtrackers and live streaming of RTÉ's TV (Ireland only) and Radio (Worldwide) coverage of the matches. WEB-ONLY coverage of France U20 v Ireland U20 from 1.50pm on Saturday.</notforsyndication>

Bu what are their chances of overturning the red rose in the home of SS Lazio and AS Roma?

The spread puts Italy at +8 (to lose to England by eight points); this correlates with Italy’s last two home encounters with England: they lost 23-19 in 2008 and 17-12 in 2010, and England have a winning streak over Italy that comes to 17 consecutive wins and dates back to 1991.

It’s not pretty reading for Italy, but this is as good a chance they’ll get to end that record. England were very solid last week in their Calcutta Cup victory over Scotland; with a squad including eight debutantes, solidity and a victory is a good return.

England’s new centre partnership of Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell was tested by Scotland and stood up to the challenge well. Italy must breach this duo and create space and holes for runners to take pop passes at pace and get in the behind the solid English defence.

After weathering a momentous storm of attack against Scotland, the England defence will be buoyed and will feel they can do something similar in the Eternal City, and in turn, counter attack with grace and poise.

<notforsyndication>Brad Barritt (left) and Owen Farrell (right) delivered promising debut performances last week</notforsyndication>

Stuart Lancaster’s team were on the back foot for almost the entire second half against Scotland and that is what Lancaster will want to fix this weekend. The interim England boss will attempt to play a more expansive game with his centres linking up more inventively going forward.

Italy’s coach Jacques Brunel is likely to counter this attacking rugby with Sergio Parisse and Robert Barbieri making barnstorming runs into the space created.

<notforsyndication>Sergio Parisse will - as always - be crucial to Italy's chances of victory</notforsyndication>

Similarly, the highly inventive fullback Andrea Masi will relish testing himself in open space against Ben Foden and Chris Ashton.

All indications suggest that despite England’s inexperience at this level, their pack should be a match for the Italians and behind the scrum they have more tactical nous then their Latin neighbours.

Ben Youngs will need to up his performance in all facets at scrumhalf, but if he does, one can see England’s 12-15 line getting plenty of time to express themselves.

Italy have brought in Gonzalo Canale for Alberto Sgarbi at first centre, following the latter’s disastrous defensive display, which will no doubt help the cause.

Vastly experienced second row Marco Bortolami’s return to the second row will also add ballast and experience in the engine room.

In what could be a highly attritional encounter, however, these slight tweaks may not be enough to yield a victory.

Prediction: Italy 16-30 England

Italy v England, RBS 6 Nations, Saturday 11 February, Stadio Olimpico, Rome, kick-off 4pm:

Italy: 15 Andrea Masi 14 Giovanbattista Venditti 13 Tommaso Benvenuti 12 Gonzalo Canale 11 Luke McLean 10 Kris Burton 9 Edoardo Gori 1 Andrea Lo Cicero 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini 3 Martin Castrogiovanni 4 Quintin Geldenhuys 5 Marco Bortolami 6 Alessandro Zanni 7 Robert Barbieri 8 Sergio Parisse (captain)

Replacements: 16 Tommaso D'Apice 17 Lorenzo Cittadini 18 Antonio Pavanello 19 Mauro Bergamasco 20 Fabio Semenzato 21 Tobias Botes 22 Luca Morisi

England: 15 Ben Foden 14 Chris Ashton 13 Brad Barritt 12 Owen Farrell 11 David Strettle 10 Charlie Hodgson 9 Ben Youngs 1 Alex Corbisiero 2 Dan Cole 3 Dylan Hartley 4 Mouritz Botha 5 Tom Palmer 6 Tom Croft 7 Chris Robshaw (captain) 8 Phil Dowson

Replacements: 16 Rob Webber 17 Matt Stevens 18 Geoff Parling 19 Ben Morgan 20 Lee Dickson 21 Jordan Turner-Hall 22 Mike Brown

Referee: Jerome Garces (FRA)