Summary

Have your say on the Six Nations

  1. Until next timepublished at 20:00 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Scotland and France played out an epic 90-point thriller, and Italy beat England for the first time.

    What a day of Six Nations rugby!

    Join us next weekend for the final round - everything is still to play for.

    Saturday 14 March

    14:10 - Ireland v Scotland, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

    16:40 - Wales v Italy, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

    20:10 - France v England, Stade de France, Paris

  2. 'England's tactics were so bad in last 20 minutes'published at 19:57 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Hear from England World Cup winner Matt Dawson below.

  3. The standingspublished at 19:55 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    A reminder of the how things stand.

    England can still finish bottom and either France, Scotland or Ireland will win the Six Nations.

    This tournament never fails to entertain.

    Six Nations standings
  4. Hear from Borthwickpublished at 19:52 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Media caption,

    Going down to 13 'hurt us badly' - Borthwick on England defeat

  5. 'It is amazing to keep writing the Italian history'published at 19:51 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Italy Rugby

    Italy captain Michele Lamaro, speaking to BBC Sport: "It's been amazing. We didn't have the best performance of our lives, but we stuck together for the whole game and believed we could win. From the first minutes, we believed we could go over the line a couple of times. At the start of the game, there was a lot of tension, but I am really proud of the boys.

    "It is amazing to keep writing Italian history. It's something we are proud of. We are doing this to inspire Italian people to come and play for this team."

    On going from not winning a Six Nations match to winning two in this tournament: "It is a very tough process because you have to change the mindset. We are used to being last and the underdog, but at the same time, we are building trust in each other, and that is what matters the most."

  6. The key moment?published at 19:50 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Yellow cards for Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje paved the way to victory for a joyous Italy in Rome.

    Underhill was dispatched to the sin-bin for a high hit on Northampton's Danilo Fischetti before captain Itoje followed for mindlessly slapping the ball out of Italy scrum-half Alessandro Garbisi's hands.

    The time of those cards: 54 minutes and 63 minutes. Not ideal timing.

    That was a key 20-minute period.

    Sam UnderhillImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'We knew it was going to happen'published at 19:46 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Italy Rugby

    Player of the match Tommaso Menoncello, speaking to ITV: "It has been a hard game. It's a massive win, and we have been expecting and working for this victory over the last three years. We knew it was going to happen, and we worked extremely hard over the last week to get the result.

    "We knew we conceded an easy try at the end of the first half, but when we came back out, we were on fire. We stuck to the game plan, and in the last quarter of the game, we were in England's half."

  8. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:42 GMT

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    The only thing that will save Borthwick now is a win over France.

    Rob

  9. Postpublished at 19:41 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Chris Jones
    BBC rugby union correspondent on BBC 5 Live

    That is three games in a row that England's tactical plan has been badly exposed.

  10. 'A big day for Italian rugby'published at 19:39 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Italy Rugby

    Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada, speaking to ITV: "I am feeling amazing because it was a tough game. I think England were good - they were putting pressure on our line-out and on our breakdown.

    "The bench did really well. We made the changes at the right moments, and I am super proud of the players. There were expectations on us, and that is why we looked like we didn't know what to do.

    "These are not nice games and not beautiful, but I think we totally deserve this win. To win today, with expectations to win against an amazing England side, is such a big step in our growth. We have to keep our feet on the ground and not get too excited - we have to keep going, but it is a big day for Italian rugby today."

    Italy celebrate on the pitchImage source, Getty Images
  11. Postpublished at 19:37 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    After a heavy defeat by Ireland, Steve Borthwick made a total of 12 changes - nine personnel switches and three positional shifts.

    He then lost Tom Curry in the warm-up to injury.

    What next against France?

  12. England's disciplinary problemspublished at 19:33 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    England picked up a red card (two yellows) against Scotland, two yellow cards against Ireland and two yellow cards against Italy.

    "It was our discipline that cost us," Borthwick said.

    Sam Underhill is shown a yellow cardImage source, Getty Images
  13. Postpublished at 19:30 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    Before England's game with Scotland, Steve Borthwick's side were on a 12-game winning run.

    No defeat in a year, and a win over New Zealand.

    Things looked great.

    The last three results:

    • Scotland 31-20 England
    • England 21-42 Ireland
    • Italy 23-18 England
  14. 'We are very disappointed that we are in this position'published at 19:26 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    England Rugby

    England captain Maro Itoje, speaking to BBC Sport: "We just have to stay together. We are going through a tough period, and when you are in a period like this, you see the characters of the team.

    "We don't want to be in this position, and we are very disappointed that we are. We haven't performed to the level we wanted to, so we have to work and own it. There's nothing else to do other than get back to work."

    On what hasn't worked over the last three games: "It's different things in different games, and we have to look at that. If we had the answer, we wouldn’t be in this position.

    "I can promise the fans that we are going to fight."

    On leadership at the top: "The coaches set us up to do well, and we as players have to take responsibility. It is us - myself as captain and the guys on the field."

    Maro ItojeImage source, Getty Images
  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:25 GMT

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    Not taking anything away from Italy, but we were so one-dimensional, predictable and boring. It's hard to support. Hopefully this is the wake up call we need. Shackles off next week, let's see us play proper rugby. Well done Italy.

    Mark

    For how good the Italians are becoming, my goodness England are going backwards, what has happened to this squad? They were once formidable, now they are soulless, lost and going nowhere.

    William, Newcastle

  16. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:19 GMT

    Click 'Get Involved' at the top of this page to have your say

    England kick. Opposition collect. Opposition score. England kick. Opposition collect. Opposition score. Pigeons learn quicker than the England players.

    Stevo, Cheltenham

  17. 'Our discipline that cost us'published at 19:17 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    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."

  18. 'The players have to take accountability'published at 19:13 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    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.

  19. Postpublished at 19:10 GMT

    FT: Italy 23-18 England

    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!