TWICKENHAM – A Celebration of Resilience and Skill
In a remarkable display of skill and leadership, Jamie George illuminated the pitch for his England teammates, showcasing how the game should be played. With a deft pass that evaded the grasp of the Italian defenders, he enabled wing Ollie Sleightholme to score in the corner. This moment was not just a testament to George’s poise under pressure, but also reflected the calmness and confidence that England is striving to embody as they aim to craft their narrative moving forward. A fitting title for their aspirations might be “Our Handbook of Handling”, capturing the essence of their vision for the future.
As George celebrated his 100th cap by leaving the field after this pivotal moment, England had already secured a comfortable lead of 25 points by the 52nd minute, overcoming Italy with a palindromic scoreline. Despite not scoring again until Ben Earl crossed the line for their seventh try in the dying moments of the game, the three tries they racked up in a 10-minute flurry during the third quarter—culminating in George’s brilliant assist to Sleightholme—offered a glimpse of the offensive prowess they plan to unleash against Wales in Cardiff during the final round of this Six Nations campaign.
At half-time, England held a narrow lead of 21-17, despite losing the dynamic Ollie Lawrence to a leg injury early in the match. Italy had their own opportunities, almost taking the lead with an overlap that would have marked a historic first victory over England in 32 attempts. However, the tide soon turned as England found their rhythm.
From a line-out just past halfway, Ellis Genge, Tom Willis, and Will Stuart powered through the Italian defense, covering 25 meters before Marcus Smith burst onto Tom Curry’s shoulder to score. Ironically, after much speculation surrounding his omission, Smith had stepped in at full-back with Elliot Daly shifting to center, and his explosive entry into the attack highlighted the versatility he brings from the back. Genge, a dependable force, consistently rises to the occasion, and his contributions proved invaluable.
Following their initial success, England continued to press forward. A powerful carry from Tom Curry led to a ferocious maul, resulting in Curry himself scoring. The momentum escalated, and with a combination of Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, and George, Sleightholme showcased his finishing skills, artfully dodging the corner flag to secure another try.
With the crowd of 81,000 buzzing with excitement, fly-half Fin Smith later remarked, “We wanted to give you guys something to cheer about.” This ambition echoed the sentiments of head coach Steve Borthwick, who had previously emphasized the importance of agility, ball movement, and speed over merely relying on a robust pack for the next World Cup in 2027.
As injuries began to take their toll on the back row and fatigue set in, England, leading 42-17, fell into a pattern of conservative kicking from Fin Smith. Yet, unlike the boos that accompanied their one-point victory against Scotland two weeks prior, the Twickenham crowd remained supportive. The upcoming clash against Wales in Cardiff presents a different challenge, one that could lead to a gripping contest—beautiful or ugly—with the home team grappling with a dismal streak of 16 Test defeats and England holding onto a slim chance for the Six Nations title.
Daly’s contributions were noteworthy, with an early counter-attacking run during his brief stint at full-back marking a shift toward a more adventurous playing style, complemented by a precise kick through for Tommy Freeman’s try in the 27th minute. This approach underscored the notion that successful teams in recent history have effectively utilized kicking to gain territory and create scoring opportunities; the key lies in balancing when to kick and when to attack more aggressively.
As a seasoned veteran, George has experienced it all during his decade-long tenure with the England jersey: from a Grand Slam in Paris to a World Cup final in Japan. While the most probable outcome of this Six Nations may see England finishing in second or third place, the potential for surprises remains.
England’s forwards have struggled with conceding penalties, an area they would prefer to improve, yet their overall discipline this season has been commendable. A final line-out on the Italian line fizzled out, but Ben Curry showcased his turnover skills, intercepting Italy’s last effort to counter. With a combination of power, strategic pilfering, and a growing belief in their capabilities, England is crafting a compelling narrative—one that any publisher would be eager to promote. However, the Welsh side will undoubtedly be keen to rewrite that story immediately.
