Italy v England: Preview and Line Ups

Italy v England: Preview and Line Ups

With zero victories from four outings, Italy have one last opportunity to salvage some pride from this year’s tournament, though the not so small obstacle of England lie between them and achieving that goal.

 

Italy’s poor win record leaves them at the bottom of the table and with not a point to their name.

 

England, on the other hand, are still in the hunt for the title, lying in second place on the log just one point behind the Irish. Their only loss of the tournament so far occurred in Round one when they were shocked by a fired up French outfit which out-did them 24-17. Since then, Eddie Jones’ men powered through the next three rounds posting victories.


 

The history of rugby between these two sides is rather dismal from an Italian perspective. Of the 26 encounters between them, England have won all of them with 1058 points for and 319 against.


 

To make matters worse, the Azzurri will be without their inspirational leader Sergio Parisse. The veteran of 37 years of age and 142 test caps has been a pillar of strength for Italy during his career and recently explained that he may turn out in next year’s competition after meaning to retire after the present one.


"The plan at the beginning of the year was to play the last game in Rome against England,” Parisse told the Will Greenwood Podcast.

 

“It would have been a great way to finish my career in the blue jersey, in front of my family and friends.

 

"Everyone knows it was a difficult moment with the coronavirus; everything changed.

 

"At the moment I am just leaving this last game in the corner of my head. I really want to play one last game, of course, but at the same time, it is important for the Italian team to start their new process without me, for the young guys to take leadership and build a new group looking ahead to the next World Cup.

 

"I keep in touch with Franco Smith and it would be great to be involved in next year's Six Nations but at the moment, with all of the things that have happened outside rugby, it is difficult to organise a last game."

 

Italy face a stiff task ahead of them as a team under the mentorship of Eddie Jones rarely lacks motivation and England will be looking to leave Rome with 5 points in the bag so as to give themselves the best possible shot at being crowned 2020 Six Nations Champions.

 

 

 

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