England 36 Italy 15: Azzurri ruck tactics baffle hosts as Eddie Jones's men avoid almighty scare at Twickenham

The revenge of the damned. So ­slated, patronised and written off had Italy been that they had little choice but to come up with a scheming, cloying, negating ploy that ­almost did for England and their Grand Slam aspirations. 

That it almost did for rugby as a spectacle, as a contest of fluency and movement and athleticism, is another matter, one for another day. This was Park the Bus rugby, an act of defiance, a rage against the dying of the light. It was wholly within the laws, the letter at least, if not the spirit. And it almost worked. 

Eddie Jones’s side were bamboozled for the entire first half, failing to get to grips with the offside-line difference between a tackle and a ruck, and went into the interval ­behind for only the second time ever against this opposition before finally gathering themselves to score five tries (six in all) and with it an all-important bonus point, although such a term seemed inappropriate for such a deeply flawed and halting performance.

England continue to win (this was their 17th in succession) but they do not wear the mantle of world-beaters. They are currently lords of the Six Nations manor statistically if not by status. They will take that for they have two shots yet to come, against Scotland and Ireland, when it really does matter how they perform. When you are top of the table, the view is pretty reassuring.

Italy have no need to apologise for such an approach, much as it met with the incredulity and disdain of Jones. It was not cricket, to use his favourite reference point. But there are many ways to play a game.

It was the sort of stunt that you might imagine Jones would have come up with when coaching ­Japan. Extraordinary situations – and Italy were being depicted as the basket case of Europe – demand an ­extraordinary response. 

Jones was not fighting for his very sporting life, for an overdue measure of respect. Italy were. This was the fightback, this was a brains trust with studs on, this was Italy refusing to fade away, to go over the top once again and get slaughtered. 

Jones had stated that he wanted his side “to take Italy to the cleaners”. Enough said. By the middle of the second half, Owen Farrell was kicking for goal, not for the corners. That is respect. Australia have done it this way before, so too Waikato Chiefs in Super Rugby.

Most consecutive Test wins for a Tier One nation

Italy were on their uppers, rudely and roundly scorned. They came up with something that was clever and well drilled. It took skill to maintain their discipline at doing what they did. Many saw their ­arrival into Twickenham as akin to the Christians entering the ­Colosseum. Only this time it was the Three Lions who got bitten.

Of course, if you had to watch rugby like this every week, it would be sporting Mogadon. As it was, with the capacity Twickenham crowd licking its lips, it was just the ticket. It made Italy competitive where it mattered, at the breakdown, and sent their opponents into psychological tailspin.

Much of the play was in keeping with a grey, sleety, nagging, afternoon. It was fractured and intermittent. England simply did not have the wherewithal to cope as Italy did not commit and stationed themselves between the point of breakdown and an ­England player.

Italy scum-half Edoardo Gori spent more time in the company of white shirts than his own Azzurri. Time and again England threw their arms in the air, more Italianate than the opposition itself. Such was the exchange of conversation with referee Romain Poite, England might as well have set up a WhatsApp group with him.

“I am a referee, not a rugby coach,” said Poite at one point. Back and forth went the chat. Up and down went the furrowed brows of the English.

England ratings

Poite did well to keep a handle on it all. The Frenchman had been appraised of Italy’s intended methods on Saturday. Italy went by the book.

Jones has often preached the need to be smart in all that is done on a rugby field. It took England too long to come up with any solutions, to pick and go, to maul more, to keep churning, to be opportunistic, to put Italy on the back foot, to make them think.

England eventually did crack the code, if only briefly, scoring two tries within six minutes of the restart through a Danny Care quick tap and an Elliot Daly dart. And with their finishers all brought on to do the job that the starters could not do, they ended at a relative rattle with three tries in the closing 10 minutes through Jack Nowell (twice) and Ben Te’o.

Jones refused to get drawn into any of the usual post-match appraisal of players on the basis that this was not a game of rugby. Even so, two of his top men, George Ford and Owen Farrell, had ragged days. The Bath fly-half was smashed aside by Italy (and Exeter) centre Michele Campagnaro, en route to his splendidly taken try on the hour, a score that took his side to 17-15 down, ­Giovanbattista Venditti having been alert enough to follow a ­penalty that struck the post on the stroke of half-time and gather to touch down.

Dan Cole got England’s first try in the 22nd minute from a forward rumble.

England had their dander up when the late tries were scored, Nowell’s first in the 70th minute earning the bonus point and prop Kyle Sinckler barrelling forward to help tee up Te’o ­before Nowell rounded off ­matters a minute from time.

England press onwards with the skirl of the bagpipes growing ever louder.

5:36PM

Conor O'Shea says Italy played "absolutely legally"

Conor O’Shea, Italy's coach:

“We have to think differently, as we did today....we stuck to the plan. We came up against a brilliant team in good form...We have a long road ahead of us, but we have that fighting spirit. But I’ve said before these players need support and I hope we’ve earned some respect."

On being told Eddie Jones said today wasn't rugby:  “We played absolutely legally. We played to the laws.”

5:34PM

Eddie Jones: "Let's be serious about it, it isn't rugby."

Asked by ITV about the Italian tactics, Jones said:

"I was remembering Trevor Chappell bowling underarm along the ground. Similar rules today. It's not a game of rugby, it ceases to be a game of rugby. Congratulations to Italy, strategically it was smart, so well done to them. Let's be serious about it, it wasn't rugby today.

“I’m not happy with what happened today. That’s not rugby. I’m not angry, I understand what they [Italy] did. But that’s not rugby.”

5:25PM

How did England stay on course for grand slam?

Gavin Mairs takes a look at how England survived a first half scare today and picked up their third win.

5:21PM

Romain Poite wins a lot of fans 

Huge reaction online to the Poite response to Haskell's questions in the first half today. Here's the moment. 

5:18PM

Twitter reacts

 Lots of praise for Romain Poite today. Lots of ribbing for 'The Brand'.

5:07PM

The Brand is confounded by Italy at the breakdown

James ‘The Brand’ Haskell: "[The game was] A little bit bizarre. It took us a while to adjust. I’ve only seen that once before with Toulouse doing it against Wasps. I imagine it was not enjoyable for the fans. I don’t think anyone knew what was going on.”

It always surprises me how often professional players don't know the exact definition of a ruck.  Haskell and a few others today clearly didn't.

5:00PM

England on verge of record consecutive test wins

Most consecutive Test wins for a Tier One nation 4:58PM

Launchbury wins man of the match

Joe Launchbury: "It was a very frustrating first half. It took us a long time to work it out [Italy's breakdown tactic]."

4:52PM

England claim a bonus point win

England took maximum points from this game, claiming a bonus point. Their first bonus point try. Here is the final try.

4:50PM

Full time: England 36 Italy 15

That's it! England make it 10 Six Nations wins on the bounce. It's a harsh scoreline for Italy though and not a reflection of the game overall.

4:48PM

79 mins: England 36 Italy 15                               

Sadly for Italy, Nowell wriggles over after an England attack. It all started with an Itoje charge down earlier in the play. Hars hfor Italy.

Farrell converts.

4:47PM

79 mins: England 29 Italy 15                               

England keep coming at Italy after the visitors lose the ball in contact. 

4:46PM

79 mins: England 29 Italy 15                              

Italy deserve a losing bonus point here. Can they score late on?

4:46PM

78 mins: England 29 Italy 15                             

Farrell misses touch from a penalty and puts it dead. 

4:44PM

77 mins: England 29 Italy 15                             

Here's the Nowell try.

4:43PM

76 mins: England 29 Italy 15                            

Benches emptying. 

Fuser off for George Biagi and Gega off for  Tommaso D'Apice

Henry Slade on for Te'o.

4:42PM

74 mins: England 29 Italy 15                           

Farrell makes this one.

4:41PM

73 mins: England 27 Italy 15                          

Tom Wood and Kyle Sinckler on for England, Haskell and Hughes off.

Sinckler makes a huge break for England with his first touch and almost scores. But Te'o is the man that finishes it. TRY!

4:39PM

71 mins: England 22 Italy 15                         

Farrell misses from the other touchline.

4:38PM

70 mins: England 17 Italy 15                        

Can Italy hold the line? The driving maul falls a yard short.

Good defence in the tight. England go wide right, loads of room.

TRY!

Despite some poor passing, Nowell goes over.

4:37PM

68 mins: England 17 Italy 15                       

England turnover the ball at the scrum, Young kicks to the corner. Just as Daly looked set to dive on and score, Canna covers brilliantly and kicks into touch. Superb cover.

Scrum to England 5m out (as ball went out over dead ball line from infield). Hang on...TMO.

After initially saying it went out over the dead ball line, the TMO changes his mind. Lineout instead. 

4:33PM

67 mins: England 17 Italy 15                      

Italy have made 104 tackles, missing 20. England 99, missing 13.

4:32PM

66 mins: England 17 Italy 15                     

Braam Steyn is penalised for an early tackle on Brown. Farrell will go for the sticks. He misses from about 35 metres.

4:30PM

64 mins: England 17 Italy 15                    

Here's the second Italian try. Not good viewing for Ford.

4:29PM

63 mins: England 17 Italy 15                   

Carlo Canna now on for Italy as Allan fails to recover from the shoulder injury.

4:28PM

61 mins: England 17 Italy 15                  

The conversion is no good. But what a score. 

4:27PM

61 mins: England 17 Italy 15                 

Italy move up to near the English 22. They are up to six phases, but Allan is down with a shoulder injury. Ball is very slow and their playmaker is missing. 

Campagnaro smashes Ford out of the way like a rag doll and steps Brown! Brilliant.

TRY!

4:25PM

59 mins: England 17 Italy 10                 

Subs for Italy. Andrea Lovotti off for Michele Rizzo. Simone Favaro leaves for Maxime Mbanda.

4:24PM

58 mins: England 17 Italy 10                 

 Penalty against England for Hughes obstruction. Rain starts to come down at Twickenham.

4:22PM

58 mins: England 17 Italy 10                

TMO brought in. Obstruction around the breakdown is the query. Nathan Hughes crosses before Jack Nowell touches down.

4:20PM

56 mins: England 17 Italy 10               

Dylan Hartley leaves for Jamie George and May leaves for Jack Nowell. 

Also, Mako Vunipola is on for Joe Marler.

4:19PM

55 mins: England 17 Italy 10              

Italy throw so many wild passes. But they hold on for now, moving up to outside the English 22. It's scrappy, but at least they have the ball again. 

Nathan Hughes finally tries out Italy's tactic, eventually reacting to a clear opportunity to do so. Eventually England steal it as the ball goes loose. Youngs clears.

4:16PM

53 mins: England 17 Italy 10             

Danny Care departs for Ben Youngs

Bisegni leaves on the wing for Italy with  Tommaso Benvenuti on. Also, Lorenzo Cittadini leaves for Pietro Ceccarelli.

4:14PM

52 mins: England 17 Italy 10            

And with an injury break, let's look at England's third.

4:13PM

52 mins: England 17 Italy 10           

Here is England's second try.

4:12PM

50 mins: England 17 Italy 10          

Twickenham finally starts singing.

4:11PM

48 mins: England 17 Italy 10         

Launchbury makes 30 metres from kick off. This is all England now. From kick off they are almost instantly in the Italian 22. 

An intercept from Van Schalwyk saves Italy.

4:10PM

48 mins: England 17 Italy 10        

Farrell converts. 

4:09PM

47 mins: England 15 Italy 10       

TRY!

Elliot Daly scores out left. Itoje gives nice offload to Hasekll. Haskell makes yards. Then good passing from Ford and Te'o put Daly in a good spot and his speed does the rest.

4:08PM

47 mins: England 10 Italy 10      

All the momentum with England right now. From the kickoff they get a penalty and clear. England seem to be trying to stay on their feet at times, to try and counter Italy's tactics. That and the pick and go.

4:07PM

45 mins: England 10 Italy 10     

Farrell misses from the far left. It stays level.

4:06PM

44 mins: England 10 Italy 10    

Big shove from England, Lovotti is pinged. Care takes a quick tap penalty and fires over in the left corner. 

TRY!

It's all level. Italy start the second half very poorly.

4:05PM

43 mins: England 5 Italy 10   

Italy fail to clear their lines, getting held up in the maul. Great scrum position for England, 15m in from the left touchline inside the 22.

4:04PM

42 mins: England 5 Italy 10   

Daly puts a lovely kick into the Italian 22. Defensive lineout for Italy 15 metres or so out.

4:03PM

41 mins: England 5 Italy 10   

We are off. How will England adapt to the Italian tactics? First thing they do is pick and go at the first breakdown. Expect more of that.

4:02PM

The Italian scores

Here are the Italian scores. 

3:59PM

Win a trip to see the Lions

SLI embed 3:56PM

James 'The Brand' Haskell asks about rules

Doesn't The Brand know they are laws, not rules? Referee Poite says he is a "referee, not a coach".

3:53PM

Breakdown tactics

Here is a video of the Italian tactics. 

3:50PM

Italy shock Twickenham 

England are having a mare. Italy are playing this superbly.

Here's some Tweets on the English problems at the breakdown

3:48PM

40 mins: England 5 Italy 10  

Allan converts and Italy lead at the break! It's fully deserved too.

3:47PM

40 mins: England 5 Italy 8   

TRY!!!!

Italy fluff a simple kick and it hits the post. And the Italians follow up. Venditti gathers and scores!!!!!

3:46PM

39 mins: England 5 Italy 3  

Danger for Italy. Farrell chips ahead in the 22 but Italy just deal with it. 

Another England attack is stopped by Italy and England counter it 60 metres with Bisegni making huge yards. They keep it alive and make it into the 22.

Nathan Hughes again pinged at the breakdown. Very kickable for Italy. England have conceded nine penalties.

3:42PM

36 mins: England 5 Italy 3 

TMO call on a possible Farrell late hit after a kick ahead by Italy. But it's ruled ok.

Dylan Hartley again consulting referee Romain Poite on Italian tactic at breakdown. Quite  a lengthy chat, about the third time it's happened. This is highly unusual. A classic example of players not understanding the laws of the game.  

Italy are not sending anyone into the breakdown after an Italian player makes a tackle. So no ruck is formed as you need one player from either side in contact with each other to form a ruck. Therefore there is no offside line.

3:38PM

36 mins: England 5 Italy 3 

England finally get some ball in the Italian half, looking unsure with Italy's tactic at the breakdown. However, it's soon lost and Italy clear downfield. 

Farrell aims for touch near the corner flag but overcooks it. 22 dropout to Italy.

3:34PM

33 mins: England 5 Italy 3

Italy scrum about ten metres out. Destroys England. Penalty. Parisse takes it quickly. 

Terrible pass shortly after from Gori. But Italy hold on. However, they've lost yards. Italy struggling to get yards after a few phases. 11 phases and going...and Tommaso Allen slots a drop goal. 

Sweet drop. The least Italy deserve.

3:31PM

29 mins: England 5 Italy 0        

Break in play. So here's the England try.

3:30PM

29 mins: England 5 Italy 0        

Ford clears to touch, but only 15m out.

3:29PM

29 mins: England 5 Italy 0       

Italy yards short from the driving maul. Then they lose it by the line. Turning down the points doesn't work out.

3:28PM

28 mins: England 5 Italy 0       

Attacking lineout for Italy, about five out. England infringe, Italy opt for corner again.

Eddie Jones has come down from the stand and had a heated discussion with the bench, it seems. He isn't happy.

3:27PM

27 mins: England 5 Italy 0      

Italy's lineout a bit shaky, late call up Ornel Gega stuggling with the throw a little. 

3:26PM

25 mins: England 5 Italy 0      

Farrell misses the extras from out right.

3:25PM

25 mins: England 5 Italy 0      

Try!

After all the good Italian work, it's England who score first. Dan Cole, after a poor start, gets the try from a driving maul from the lineout.

3:24PM

24 mins: England 0 Italy 0     

Parisse goes off his feet after the Italian scrum struggles in their 22 and Italy are on the back foot. Farrell goes for the corner, not the three.

3:23PM

23 mins: England 0 Italy 0    

England miss a chance out right, as a gap opens in the Italian 22. But the pass is dropped. England arguing about offside lines at the tackle. Italy's tactics confusing the home side.

3:22PM

21 mins: England 0 Italy 0   

Italy deserve to lead here after 20 minutes, Allan needs to find his boots.

3:19PM

19 mins: England 0 Italy 0  

Allan has missed again. That's two now. 

3:19PM

19 mins: England 0 Italy 0 

Another penalty against England, this time a breakdown penalty against Farrell (it seems). Kickable for Allan. Just inside the English 10m line. 

3:17PM

17 mins: England 0 Italy 0

For the third time, a good Italian position is wasted by a wild pass out wide. England clear from their 22.

3:17PM

16 mins: England 0 Italy 0

 Some clever play from Italy in defence. They aren't forming rucks always after a tackle. Sometimes the tackler is only person getting involved and no other defender steps in to form a ruck. Causing confusion for England as the tackler goes around to where the scrum half is.

Meanwhile, another Italian penalty won in the scrum. Cole gives his third penalty away.

3:13PM

13 mins: England 0 Italy 0         

This is a good start from Italy, sloppy from England. Although Italy dropping a few key balls, this time Lovotti kills a move for the visitors.

3:12PM

12 mins: England 0 Italy 0        

Itoje claims the lineout and Danny Care clears. Parisse gathers, May just stops him and Italy kick it back to the English 22.

3:11PM

11 mins: England 0 Italy 0       

Dan Cole gives another penalty away, this time at a maul for coming in at the side. Two plays, two Cole penalties. 

Italy lineout in the English 22. Sadly for the visitors it isn't straight. English opt for a lineout.

3:09PM

9 mins: England 0 Italy 0      

England have a scrum on the Italian 10m line. However, it collapses and England are pinged (seems to be against Dan Cole after pressure from Andrea Lovotti). Italy clear to the English half.

3:07PM

7 mins: England 0 Italy 0     

After nine phases Italy are pinged for holding on and coming off their feet. Itoje wins the penalty and England clear to touch in the Italian half.

3:06PM

6 mins: England 0 Italy 0    

Italy carry well from the restart, taking it back to England with quick ball and simple carries. 

3:05PM

5 mins: England 0 Italy 0   

Tommaso Allan has a shot a goal from between the 22 and 10m line, 15m in from the left touchline.

He pulls it badly.

3:04PM

4 mins: England 0 Italy 0  

Scrum on halfway to Italy. Amazingly, first time this weekend, the first scrum isn't a penalty. Italy make 15 metres quickly through moving it wide. They get driven back on the next phase but Parisse helps steady it.

Nathan Hughes gives away a kickable penalty at the breakdown. He's now knocked on and given away a penalty.

3:02PM

2 mins: England 0 Italy 0 

Bit of kicking pong pong early on before England go wide left to Daly's wing. But Nathan Hughes drops a simple pass. Play ends exactly two minutes after kick off.

3:00PM

0 mins: England 0 Italy 0

And we are off. George Ford kicks long to the Italian 22. Edoardo Gori clears.

3:00PM

Anthem time

Italy belt out their passionate national hymn. They'll be followed by England's short, sharp dirge. 

2:54PM

Players in the tunnel

On the occasion of his 50th cap, Owen Farrell will lead out both sides.

2:52PM

Team line ups

As we get ready for battle, here is a reminder of the teams today:

England: M Brown (Harlequins); J May (Gloucester), B Te'o (Worcester), O Farrell (Saracens), E Daly (Wasps); G Ford (Bath), D Care (Harlequins); J Marler (Harlequins), D Hartley (Northampton), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), C Lawes (Northampton), M Itoje (Saracens), J Haskell (Wasps), N Hughes (Wasps).

Replacements: J George (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), K Sinckler (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton), J Clifford (Harlequins), B Youngs (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), J Nowell (Exeter)

Italy(note late change at Hooker): Edoardo Padovani (Zebre); Giulio Bisegni (Zebre), Michele Campagnaro (Exeter Chiefs), Luke McLean (Benetton Treviso), Giovanbattista Venditti (Zebre); Tommaso Allan (Benetton Treviso), Edoardo Gori (Benetton Treviso); Andrea Lovotti (Zebre), Ornel Gega (Benetton Treviso),, Lorenzo Cittadini (Bayonne), Marco Fuser (Benetton Treviso), Dries Van Schalkwyk (Zebre), Braam Steyn (Benetton Treviso), Simone Favaro (Glasgow Warriors), Sergio Parisse (Stade Français).

Replacements: Tommaso D'Apice,  Michele Rizzo (Leicester Tigers), Pietro Ceccarelli (Zebre), George Biagi (Zebre), Maxime Mbandà (Zebre), Giorgio Bronzini (Benetton Treviso), Carlo Canna (Zebre), Tommaso Benvenuti (Benetton Treviso)

2:41PM

Owen Farrell set to win his 50th cap

Owen Farrell hits the half century mark today. Eddie Jones has said he is the only England player who would make a World XV right now.

Here is a video of some Farrell highlights. Put earplugs in to avoid the horrendous music.

2:37PM

England U20s put Italy to the sword

The English U20s face Italy last night in Mowden Park, running out 46-0 winners. 

2:32PM

Classic match #2: Tough game in South Africa 

The second clash between the two sides was also a World Cup game. England this time won by just seven points, playing in Durban, South Africa. 
 

The final score was 27-20.

2:30PM

Classic match #1: First encounter

Here is a trip down memory lane. 1991 saw the first clash between the two sides. In a World Cup pool match, England ran out winners 36-6.

2:29PM

Eddie Jones gives facial hair advice to Jonny May

 Head coach Eddie Jones advised winger Jonny May to shave off his beard. Find out why here.

2:26PM

Today's officials

 Romain Poite of France is the man with the whistle today. TMO is George Ayoub of Australia. 

2:15PM

Late change for Italy

Italy have made a late change. Leonardo Ghiraldini is ruled out with injury, in comes Ornel Gaga of Treviso who steps up from the bench. 

 Tommaso D'Apice comes in on the bench.

2:09PM

Red Roses lead the way

England's women, much changed from their trouncing of Wales in Round Two, emerged victorious yesterday over Italy, staying on course for the Grand Slam.

2:04PM

Two for the price of one

Quickly flicking over to events in Dublin yesterday. Will we see any action against Devin Toner for this bit of reckless play in Ireland's win over France?

When watching, like Nigel Owens, ignore Sean O’Brien’s actions, and focus on Toner

1:58PM

History of the fixture

The sides have met on 22 occasions before today. First meeting in Twickenham in the 1991 World Cup, England have a 100% winning record in the fixture. Barring a miracle on the cabbage patch, that is unlikely to change today.

England have racked up 882 points to 275 in the fixture. At Twickenham, across 12 matches, England have racked up 519 points to 143.

1:54PM

Can Italy avoid a beating?

There is much concern about Italy's progress, or lack of, in the Six Nations. Many have raised concerns that today threatens a cricket type score being run up. 

Telegraph Sport's Daniel Schofield takes a look at how Italy can avoid conceding a bucket load.

1:47PM

England looking to take Italy "to the cleaners"

Welcome to the final match of Round Three of the 2017 Six Nations. After wins for Ireland and Scotland yesterday, England return to action against 40/1 outsiders Italy.

We’ll be bringing you all the match build up, game action and post match reaction right here.

As always, you can get involved be sending us your rants, raves, feedbacks and stunning tactical observations to @jpstafford on Twitter.