England won their first match under coach Steve Borthwick as they overpowered Italy up front in a 31-14 Six Nations success at Twickenham on Sunday.Italy's pack were unable to cope with England's driving maul from close-range line-outs, while recalled centre Ollie Lawrence repeatedly made inroads into the Azzurri defence.Borthwick's reign had started with a 29-23 loss at home to Scotland last weekend in the first round of the tournament.But on Sunday his side surged into a commanding 19-0 lead at half-time after tries by forwards Jack Willis, Ollie Chessum and Jamie George."I think we took some steps forward today, it's an important thing to recognise," Borthwick told ITV.Italy, fresh from a creditable 29-24 defeat by reigning Six Nations champions France in Rome, arrived in London with genuine hope of a first win over England.But instead they suffered a 30th defeat in as many matches between the two countries.Marco Riccioni pulled a try back for Italy shortly after the break before another England line-out drive led to a penalty try and a yellow card for Azzurri replacement Simone Ferrari.Italy were not finished though, with replacement scrum-half Alessandro Fusco, only on the field for a matter of seconds, going over for a 63rd-minute try after a break by wing Tommaso Menoncello.But nine minutes from time, Henry Arundell put the result beyond doubt when he went over for a try following good work by fellow England replacement back Alex Mitchell.Italy coach Kieran Crowley said a convincing loss hurt all the more following a narrow defeat by France."What happened out there today makes the last week feel a lot worse because we had a real opportunity last week (against France) — we didn't have an opportunity today because England pushed us out of it," he told reporters.- Significant score for Willis -It took England 13 minutes to open the scoring.Owen Farrell opted against going for goal with a routine penalty and kicked for an attacking line-out instead.England won possession from the set-piece and recalled openside flanker Willis was driven over through Italy's weak maul defence, with Farrell, playing at fly-half in a revamped back division after Marcus Smith was benched, adding the conversion.It was a significant score for the 26-year-old Willis. Two years ago he came off the bench to score a try against Italy only to suffer a severe injury to his right knee minutes later — the back-row's howls of anguish echoed round Twickenham in a match played behind closed doors because of Covid-19 restrictions — that kept him on the sidelines for a year.Italy captain Michele Lamaro had to undergo a head injury assessment in the 23rd minute and his side suffered further disruption when No 8 Lorenzo Cannone was sin-binned following repeated offending by the Azzurri. England made their man advantage count soon afterwards when, following a slick pop-pass from prop Ellis Genge near the line, second row Chessum powered over for his first Test try, with Farrell again adding the extras.England scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet had a try ruled out for obstruction in midfield but it made little difference.Borthwick's men scored a third try — and their second with Italy down to 14 men — when hooker George was the beneficiary of yet another line-out drive.Italy hit back at the start of the second half when, after a sniping break by dangerous full-back Ange Capuozzo, Saracens prop Riccioni burst through a gap for a try converted by another England-based player in Harlequins fly-half Tommaso Allan.England's maul, however, then proved Italy's undoing again, the award of a penalty try by referee James Doleman giving Borthwick's men a bonus point.Italy were not finished though, with Fusco scoring after a break by Menoncello took the Azzurri into England's 22.But Arundell put the result beyond doubt in the 71st minute.Click Here: Papua New Guinea Rugby Shop
