England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to BBC Sport: "Credit to Italy and the way they played. They are a top-quality opposition, and you can see that in each and every one of their performances.

"We are bitterly disappointed. I thought at 60 minutes we had the game under control, but going down to 13 men hurt us badly. They took their one chance very well and were able to get over the line.”

On whether going down to 13 men affected his use of the bench: "From a leadership perspective off the field, with Sam Underhill and Maro off the pitch, we were limited in the changes we were able to make.

"Italy's aerial game hurt us and created opportunities for them. I think when we get the balance right, this team plays a very good game, but we haven't got that balance where it needs to be.

"As we look at this over the last 12 months, we have been scoring a lot of tries, but right now we're not able to apply as much scoreboard pressure as we want because we are not getting over the line. There are a couple of areas, especially in the breakdown, where we are turning over the ball too much.

"Clearly, this is a really challenging and tough time. We talk about intensity all week, and I thought their intensity was very good today, but it was our discipline that cost us. I have seen the players, and they are really feeling this."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

I can't get my head around what has happened. I find it difficult because I am a frustrated former player and fan, echoing the words of many: "What on earth was I watching, from a side with hundreds of caps and loads of experience?"

The players have to take accountability, and that is a massive issue for me with this England squad. That's why I highlighted Maro Itoje screaming at Fin Smith to kick and take the points - because this England side feels very fluffy and friendly.

Sometimes you have to stare your team-mates in the face and have hard words with them. You're not bullying or badmouthing them - it's a harsh word to sharpen the mind amid all the pressure. We all need a kick up the backside.

I just don't feel like the England side, for many years, has been able to look each other in the eye and say something they might not want to hear.

Before the Six Nations started, England head coach Steve Borthwick talked about the game against France in Paris on 14 March being a possible title decider.

"We want to be in a position in that game to get what we all want to achieve. We want English fans flooding across the channel to get there and watch that game," he said.

Now it is about avoiding a Wooden Spoon.

Crazy!

Mike Henson
BBC Sport at Stadio Olimpico

For head coach Steve Borthwick another uninspired and insipid performance, 18 months out from the Rugby World Cup, raises the most awkward and far-reaching questions.

England will go to their final-day meeting with France next week, earmarked as a possible Grand Slam decider at the start of the tournament, as minor characters attempting to somehow avoid their first single-win campaign in Six Nations history.

Thumbs up if you agree. Thumbs down if you don't.

England Rugby

England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to ITV: "Credit to Italy, who have come a long way.

"We are gutted. For 60 minutes, we are in control and those two sin-bins hurt us.

"Discipline is a significant factor, it is something we have to improve."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Itoje is right - as players, and especially as captain, they have to own it. He will be furious with himself for that penalty and yellow card. He won't sleep well tonight, and unfortunately, it's only going to get worse. The media will be on him, the fans will be on him and the team, because it is absolutely unacceptable.

England Rugby

England captain Maro Itoje, speaking on BBC 5 Live: "It is disappointing. I think it is on us as players - we have to own the performance. This team has put together good performances over the past year, but recently we haven’t. We have to face the facts and get back to work.

On where things are going wrong: "We have to figure it out. If we knew, we wouldn’t be in this position. We have to stick together. Teams go through tough periods, and we are going through a tough period now, so we have to stick together.

"We have to own the result, and it is a results business. As captain, I take responsibility for that."

Image source, Getty Images

If England do suffer a heavy defeat against France and Wales win big against Italy, Steve Borthwick's side could pick up the Wooden Spoon.

Unlikely, but it is possible.

England Rugby

England captain Maro Itoje, speaking on ITV: "It was disappointing, but it is on us as players. Over the past year, this team has put together some great performances.

"We have to face reality and deliver some good performances.

"We need to stick together and figure it out.

"It's a results business, and we have to take responsibility for that."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

There is no way of getting out of it. Questions need to be asked about England's strategy and methodology - about how they believe the game should be played at this level - because the way England are playing, they are not going to win international matches.

Italy Rugby

Italy captain Michele Lamaro, speaking to ITV: "We felt tension before the game as we were nervous. We were close the whole game.

"We fought together as always.

"We stuck together as a wall in defence."

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

England will want the tournament to finish now - let's just write it off. That was a really bizarre performance. They had put themselves in a good position, but in the second half it looked like Maro was getting annoyed at Fin Smith to kick the goals.

They were eight points ahead, and then England gave away an avalanche of errors - a collective collapse. England looked desperate, searching for help, and there was none to be found.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

Italy have dug deep and gone to the core of the earth. They were gone, and England had control of the game. What a brilliant game rugby is - how, in all that adversity, a moment from the crowd and the team can spark something in your belly and let you finish off a game like that. We have never seen Italy do that.

They went somewhere different tonight. They deserved that win.

Image source, Getty Images

Italy beat Scotland, ran Ireland close, showed heart against France, and now have beaten England.

That result was coming. Not long ago people were wondering if they were good enough for the Six Nations.

Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is unacceptable for England to be making that many errors.

History.

Italy have beaten England for the first time.

Success at attempt number 33.