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Watson and Simmonds at the double in Rome rout
By Peter Thompson
Anthony Watson and Sam Simmonds scored two tries apiece as defending champions England started their quest for a historic Six Nations title with a seven-try 46-15 thrashing of Italy at Stadio Olimpico.
England were flummoxed by Italy's no-ruck tactics at Twickenham last year, but it was the Azzurri who were left scratching their heads after the holders made a blistering start in Rome on Sunday.
Pacy wing Watson claimed a brace inside 11 minutes and Owen Farrell added a third try after a superbly worked Tommaso Benvenuti score, but Tommaso Allan's penalty reduced England's lead to 17-10 at half-time.
The champions suffered a blow when they lost scrum-half Ben Youngs early in the first half to a knee injury, but they had the bonus point in the bag when the impressive Simmonds claimed a bonus-point try on his tournament debut.
Mattia Bellini scored a second Italy try, but Conor O'Shea's men were unable to avoid a 13th consecutive Six Nations defeat, George Ford, Simmonds and Jack Nowell adding late tries as Italy tired.
Farrell scored 11 points with the boot in what was ultimately an emphatic win for Eddie Jones' side, aiming to become the first team to win the tournament outright three years in a row.
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Latest Comments
It's the same criticism of Dmac and Mo'unga as well. Sadly the way the game has been heading recently it's the only way to break down a defence, and a player of Lawrences nature would have a very limited chance at doing that because he's too one dimensional.
Noah Lolesio is your sort of player and that worked OK, but only because his team is far more creative than Englands for example. The highly organized Irish attack was also another that didn't require much from the 10, but that is now changing with Prendergast who is in that league mold like the most new age 10's.
So it is in fact your two which would require even more change to make the most of than Marcus Smith.
Go to commentsThe Stormers sloppiness show that they are a poorly coached side. Fortunately for them, so are the Sharks.
There are tougher opponents waiting and they will be punished heavily unless the coaching improves dramatically.
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