I don’t think England have what it takes to beat Italy but will escape with a draw – England v Italy predictions Six Nations 2025
England are the only side never to have tasted defeat against Italy and are once again heavy favourites. Here are our England v Italy predictions.
The Azzurri were humbled by a fantastic France last time out but will know they are capable of worrying an England side for whom results have turned but performances are not compelling.
Read more: How to watch England v Italy
England v Italy predictions
Joe Robinson, Editor of Rugby World: England 19-19 Italy
Yep, that’s right. For the first time in Men’s Six Nations history, England will not beat Italy. Why not?
It’s 25 years since the Italians joined the tournament and the English are the only scalp eluding them. Sure, they got massacred against France in Round 3 but this Italy team are good and England are still far from the finished article.
Antoine Dupont and Co put Italy to the sword last time out (Getty Images)
If they trouble the home team early on, the crowd will start to groan and then all bets are off.
Alan Pearey, Chief Sub/Writer at Rugby World: England 40-25 Italy
After losing all 31 previous encounters, Italy could be excused for having a mental block in this fixture.
But hope springs eternal and especially against an England side that seems to have regressed since they thrillingly beat Ireland in this round a year ago.
England fans are unlikely to stomach the excessive box kicking that stained the win over Scotland, so surely they will let a back-line containing five Saints players off the leash?
Alex Mitchell’s box-kicking against Scotland irritated some England fans (Getty Images)
Quite what Marcus Smith has done to deserve going from fly-half to full-back to the subs’ bench is hard to fathom. But we look forward to his arrival at some point because there is one player who is never boring.
Italy conceded 73 points to France and average 44 points against at this stadium, but any team with a back row of Vintcent, Lamaro and Negri with Cannone on the bench merits huge respect.
These two teams kick the most and offload the least but the sun is set to shine, let’s be optimistic.
Josh Graham, Deputy Editor of Rugby World: England 33-20 Italy
I can’t see Italy winning but I don’t see England running riot like the French did so we should find ourselves with a comfortableish England win.
It’s the ultimate lose-lose for Steve Borthwick’s men who are expected to romp home so they’re damned if they do and very damned if they don’t.
Expect there to be a few sweaty, agitated moments intertwined with a few nice tries for both sides.
Read more: Everything you need to know about the Six Nations
Kick-off time: 3pm GMT – Sun 9 March
TV channel: ITV (UK) – How to watch the Six Nations
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
Capacity: 82,000
Do you think this goes down as an assist for Allan? 😂🇮🇹 #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/W3p9HycN2N
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 5, 2025
England v Italy head-to-head record
2024 Six Nations: Italy 24-27 England
2023 Six Nations: England 31-14 Italy
2022 Six Nations: Italy 0-33 England
2021 Six Nations: England 41-18 Italy
2020 Six Nations: Italy 5-34 England
England v Italy team news
ENGLAND
Read more: England Six Nations squad – Every change made by Steve Borthwick
15. Elliot Daly
14. Tommy Freeman
13. Ollie Lawrence
12. Fraser Dingwall
11. Ollie Sleightholme
10. Fin Smith
9. Alex Mitchell
1. Ellis Genge (vice-captain)
2. Jamie George (vice-captain)
3. Will Stuart
4. Maro Itoje (captain)
5. Ollie Chessum
6. Tom Curry
7. Ben Earl
8. Tom Willis
Replacements:
16. Luke Cowan-Dickie
17. Fin Baxter
18. Joe Heyes
19. Ted Hill
20. Chandler Cunningham-South
21. Ben Curry
22. Jack van Poortvliet
23. Marcus Smith
Jamie George is set to make his 100th England appearance 👏🌹
Head coach Steve Borthwick has named his match day squad to face Italy at @allianz_stad on Sunday.@O2 | #WearTheRose
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 5, 2025
ITALY
Related: Italy Six Nations squad 2025
15. Ange Capuozzo
14. Monty Ioane
13. Juan Ignacio Brex
12. Tommaso Menoncello
11. Matt Gallagher
10. Paolo Garbisi
9. Stephen Varney
1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Giacomo Nicotera
3. Marco Riccioni
4. Niccolò Cannone
5. Federico Ruzza
6. Sebastian Negri
7. Michele Lamaro (captain)
8. Ross Vintcent
Replacements:
16. Gianmarco Lucchesi
17. Mirco Spagnolo
18. Simone Ferrari
19. Riccardo Favretto
20. Manuel Zuliani
21. Lorenzo Cannone
22. Martin Page-Relo
23. Tommaso Allan
🇮🇹 The @Federugby side to take on England this weekend 🙌#GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/qeX8J8RS1K
— Guinness Men’s Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) March 7, 2025
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