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'Gripping start to this wooden spoon decider' - Italy shock England with outstanding try after just 3 minutes
By Ian Cameron
Those forecasting an English hammering of Guinness Six Nations whipping boys Italy were given a rude awakening when a fired-up Azzurri broke England's defence after just 3 minutes.
A well-worked try saw Italian newbie Monty Ioane race in on the left wing after some sustained offensive pressure from Franco Smith's men at Twickenham.
Italy's early dominance wasn't to last. Owen Farrell struck back with a penalty before Exeter Chiefs' lock Jonny Hill barged his way over from close range.
"Gripping start to this wooden spoon decider. Two plucky sides playing for pride here," wrote humourous Welsh account Dai Lama.
Graham Love was quick to get the boot into England with this perfectly aimed barb at Eddie Jones' Englishmen: "Moments like that are why we love sport. So heartwarming to see a struggling team eventually get their first try of the tournament," referring of course to England's first try of the competition.
'I see Eddie Jones has got his mask on this week, nearly got a £15k fine for not wearing it last week so at least that’s a lesson learnt!,' wrote Andy Goode.
Prior to kick-off, head coach Smith had no qualms about spelling at the task facing the men in blue, who have never beaten England in international rugby.
“The mountain in front of us is high, very high, but there is a road that goes up there and we will be on that road,” Smith said. “It’s up to us to plot that journey and that is what we are doing. Our main opponents are not England, but ourselves. That is who we must focus on.
“We must also not be worried about getting the monkey off our back, looking to get one win in the Championship at any cost.
“If that is all we work towards then it will be another five or six years before the next victory. It’s time for new faces, new icons in Italian rugby.
“I firmly believe that ending this drought will come from concentrating on how we play, on our basics, on quality actions, on being clinical and accurate.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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