Italy vs England
Italy play their first home match in this year’s Guinness Six Nations when they host England at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Both teams are coming of away defeats in the first round with Italy losing 37-10 to France while England were beaten 20-17 by Scotland. Italy looked good for large parts of their match against France only to lose concentration at crucial moments. They have now extended their own unwanted record of 30 matches without a win in the Six Nations
TIP: Italy have played England 28 times since their first meeting in 1991 but have never tasted victory against them. They will be buoyed by the last time they played at home when they beat Uruguay. This victory ended a run of nine consecutive home defeats. Italy have only won twice in their last 16 home matches and both those wins were against Tier Two nations. The bookies have England as heavy favourites and I back them for the win. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.02, Playabets 1.02 and Sunbet 1.02
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
Italy vs England
- Italy have never beaten England since they started playing each other in 1991.
- England beat them in their most recent meeting 41-18.
- The last time they played in Rome, England won 34-5.
Latest results for both teams
Italy lost their last match 37-10 to France while England lost 20-17 to Scotland in their last match.
PREDICTION
England will be scratching their heads and wondering how they lost their opening match against Scotland. They were well in control before some strange substitutions and a moment of madness from Luke Cowan-Dickie presented the come from behind win to the Scottish. There will no doubt be a backlash from England and they will be going all out for a bonus point victory. Anything less than five points will be regarded as a failure. England last four visits to the Italian capital has seen them win their matches with an average victory margin of 33 points per match. I predict England to win by less than 26 points
- Probable Starting XVs
Italy
15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Federico Mori, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Braam Steyn, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Pietro Ceccarelli, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti
England
15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Tom Curry (c), 6 Maro Itoje, 5 Nick Isiekwe, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Will Stuart, 2 Jamie George, 1 Ellis Genge
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the England victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.02
Playabets 1.02
Sunbet 1.02
Odds comparison on the Italy handicap :
The complete odds on the Italy handicap:
Worldsportsbetting (+25.5) 1.85
Sunbet (+25.5) 1.82
Playabets (+25.5) 1.86
Predictions and Odds in details
This match has become one of the more lopsided matches in international rugby and unfortunately for the Italians this English team will be looking for redemption following their first round defeat. The substitution of Marcus Smith was a turning point in the last match. If he plays the full eighty minutes then England will win convincingly. There is no money on the England outright win but I suggest the Italians on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (+25.5) 1.85, Sunbet (+25.5) 1.82 and Playabets (+25.5) 1.86
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
