RUGBY UNION SIX NATIONS

Uninspiring England dispose of Italy

Robinson scores only try for home side as Wilkinson makes big contribution with 15 points

England made it two wins out of two in this season's Six Nations with a lacklustre 20-7 victory over Italy at Twickenham yesterday. Record-breaking Jonny Wilkinson kicked 15 points and Jason Robinson scored a try as the world champions followed up last week's 42-20 win against Scotland with a stuttering performance where they were frequently frustrated by a combative Italian pack.

Italy, for whom this was a second successive defeat after last week's 39-3 thrashing by France, got on the scoreboard thanks to a converted try from outside-half Andrea Scanavacca.

But this defeat meant they'd lost all 13 of their Tests against England and left the Azzurri still searching for a first Six Nations away win.

Wilkinson, who started the day level on 406 Six Nations points with former Wales stand-off Neil Jenkins, set a new tournament aggregate record when, from just inside the Italian half, he kicked a 47 metre penalty.

Scanavacca then missed a chance to equalise when he pulled a penalty.

The Azzurri, showing six changes from the beaten in Rome owed much to recalled scrum-half Alessandro Troncon and their forwards were making life tough for England.

Another Wilkinson penalty took England to 9-0 before Italy suffered a setback when wing Denis Dallan was carried off with what appeared to be an ankle injury following a collision with No 8 Sergio Parisse as he chased a high kick.

England did then manage to make ground deep into Italian territory when, following a break by No 8 Martin Corry, Wilkinson's long cut-out pass found Iain Balshaw who in turn passed to Mike Tindall before the centre was well-tackled by Italy full-back Roland de Marigny.

Soon afterwards, from a lineout, England formed a driving maul with flanker Nick Easter, making his debut in place of the injured Joe Worsley, involved.

Italy then saw captain and lock Marco Bortolami yellow-carded for pulling down the maul while the injury-prone Balshaw, who'd missed the Scotland match with a groin problem, was replaced by Newcastle back Mathew Tait.

England opted to kick for a lineout and duly won possession.

The ball was worked along the backs and Josh Lewsey's clever, but possibly forward, flick-pass created space for left wing Robinson, who slid in for a try at the corner.

Wilkinson, who last week marked his return to England after an injury-induced absence of more than three years with 27 points, missed the conversion but the hosts were 14-0 ahead at half-time.

Carelessness then cost Italy's forwards a couple of promising positions and their cause was not helped when Scanavacca fell just short with a long-range penalty.

And when Italy flanker Josh Sole was penalised for being in front of the kicker, Wilkinson's fourth successful kick from five attempts put England 17-0 in front with 25 minutes left.

Troncon injected a rare moment of purpose when he burst forward. Italy were then encamped on the England line but could not find a way through.

However, they did score the try they deserved in the 65th minute when, after a fine move involving several pairs of hands, Sole charged downfield to set up a ruck where a lack of an England guard allowed Scanavacca to go through for a try under the posts which he converted.

Such was Italy's forward power England brought on three replacement forwards with 10 minutes left.

A frustrated home crowd then booed when England gave Wilkinson another shot at goal rather than run a penalty. But the noise made no difference to the No 10, whose effort made it 20-17.

England's Six Nations campaign continues away to Ireland on February 24 while, on the same day, Italy face Scotland at Murrayfield.

Bangkok Post
Sunday February 11, 2007