England’s 47-24 win over Italy at Allianz Stadium on 9 March 2025 looked commanding on paper, but a 21-17 half-time deficit and Italy’s late surge exposed fault lines that the final scoreline concealed. Seven tries, a bonus point, and a climb to second in the Six Nations standings — yet the margin flattered a side that trailed for much of the first half.

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Date: 9 March 2025 · Venue: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London · Kick-off: 15:00 GMT · Score: England 47-24 Italy · Competition: Guinness Men’s Six Nations

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact broadcast channel selection for specific UK regions pending official announcement
  • Post-match coach reaction quotes not yet published by official sources
  • Full player substitution details unavailable in the public record
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Seven entries, one pattern: the match data shows a comfortable England win, yet the half-time margin and Italy’s late surge tell a more complicated story.

Attribute Detail
Event England v Italy — Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2025
Date Sunday 9 January 2025
Venue Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London
Final Score England 47–24 Italy
England Tries Tom Willis (4′), Tommy Freeman (27′), Ollie Sleightholme (35′, 53′), Marcus Smith (44′), Tom Curry (47′), Ben Earl (81′)
Italy Tries Ange Capuozzo, Ross Vintcent, Tommaso Menoncello
Kick-off Time 15:00 GMT
Referee Andrew Brace (assistants: Craig Evans, Luc Ramos)
Official Site sixnationsrugby.com

What channel is England v Italy on?

In the United Kingdom, the match aired on both ITV and BBC, continuing the split coverage arrangement the broadcasters have used throughout the Six Nations. BBC iPlayer offered live streaming for viewers who preferred online access. Wales’s games are also split across ITV, BBC, and S4C under the same arrangement.

TV channel details

  • UK (Men’s Six Nations): ITV and BBC — coverage shared across both networks throughout the tournament
  • UK (Women’s Six Nations from April 2026): BBC iPlayer streams all 15 games live
  • Ireland: RTE, Virgin Media, and Premier Sports share rights
  • France: TF1 and France TV for Men’s matches; France TV offers free streaming for Women’s

Live streaming options

For viewers outside traditional broadcast regions, streaming provides the most flexible access. In the United States, every Six Nations match — including this England-Italy fixture — streams exclusively on Peacock via NBC Sports streaming. Peacock also holds rights for the Women’s Six Nations from 2026.

Official match highlights are available on the official Six Nations YouTube highlights page shortly after the final whistle.

The upshot

UK viewers have the widest free access through ITV and BBC. If you’re outside those regions, Peacock (US) or your local rights holder are your primary options — no single free global stream exists for this fixture.

The implication: regional rights fragmentation means no universal free option, and any search for unofficial streams risks unreliable sources when legitimate alternatives are readily available.

Who is favored to win the Six Nations 2025?

The betting picture shifted throughout the tournament, but England’s seven-try performance against Italy reinforced their position near the top of the market. Sporting News tournament odds coverage reported that pre-tournament odds from Spreadex positioned France and Ireland as co-favorites, with England and Scotland forming the next tier.

Bookmakers’ favourites

France entered the championship as the bookmakers’ choice, drawing on their powerful forward pack and the creative threats of Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos. Ireland, under Andy Farrell, retained a strong following thanks to their consistency in recent tournaments and the proven class of players like Garry Ringrose and Jamison Gibson-Park.

England and Italy odds

England’s odds lengthened after the Calcutta Cup defeat, but the bonus-point victory over Italy — combined with Scotland’s stumbles — pulled them back into contention for second place. Italy’s odds remained the longest in the championship, reflecting their improved performance without yet matching the ceiling of the other five nations.

The result mattered for more than pride. England’s second-place finish after round four gave them a realistic path to the runner-up spot in the final standings, with the trajectory of the tournament still hanging on results between France, Ireland, and Scotland in the closing rounds.

Why this matters

England’s bonus-point win over Italy moved them past both Ireland and Scotland in the table — a shift that bookmakers had not fully priced in at the start of the championship.

Why has George Ford been dropped?

George Ford’s omission from England’s matchday squad sparked significant discussion among supporters and analysts. Ford had been a regular starter under previous regimes, and his creative partnership with Owen Farrell had defined England’s attacking shape for years.

England squad changes

The decision reflected head coach Steve Borthwick’s preference for a different game management profile. Marcus Smith, who started at full-back and scored a try against Italy, offers a counter-attacking threat that Ford’s more methodical style does not. Fin Smith’s growing authority at fly-half — he converted six of seven tries against Italy — gave Borthwick further confidence in selecting the younger Smith sibling over the veteran.

Impact on fly-half position

With Fin Smith firmly established at first-receiver and Marcus Smith providing versatility across the back line, George Ford finds himself outside the matchday 23 for selection decisions that prioritised dynamism over experience. The Ford-Farrell friendship, noted across social media and team sources, has not overridden form-based selection under Borthwick’s tenure.

How did England beat Italy?

England’s 47-24 victory at Allianz Stadium delivered seven tries and a bonus point, but the margin obscures a first half that tested England’s composure. Italy led at various stages and only trailed 21-17 at the break, with Paolo Garbisi’s penalty at 39 minutes keeping them within striking distance before the break.

Match summary

Tom Willis opened the scoring at 4 minutes, crashing over from close range after England’s maul established position inside Italy’s 22. Tommy Freeman doubled the lead before half-time, finishing a move that exploited Italy’s defensive width. Ollie Sleightholme crossed twice — at 35 and 53 minutes — to establish a lead that looked unassailable before Italy’s response.

Key moments and scorers

Ange Capuozzo’s try for Italy reminded observers why the Azzurri remain dangerous on the counter-attack — his pace after turnover ball put Italy ahead at one stage of the first half. Ross Vintcent’s try reflected Italy’s growing forward confidence, while Tommaso Menoncello’s 70th-minute score pulled Italy back to 42-24 and suggested the contest was not entirely one-sided.

Fin Smith’s goal-kicking was precise under pressure, converting six of seven attempts, while Paolo Garbisi landed all three conversions for Italy plus a penalty that kept Italy competitive through the opening 40 minutes.

The catch

The 47-24 scoreline flattered England. Italy’s two late tries and the 21-17 half-time score reveal a contest closer than the final margin suggests — a warning sign for England ahead of tougher assignments in the final rounds.

Where can I watch England vs Italy for free?

No completely free global stream exists for this fixture. UK residents with a TV license can access BBC’s coverage without additional cost, and ITV’s broadcast is free-to-air for anyone with a television set. These represent the most accessible viewing options for UK audiences.

Free streaming options

  • BBC iPlayer: Free for UK license holders — live streaming available for all BBC-covered Six Nations matches
  • ITV X / ITVX: Free online streaming of ITV’s live Six Nations coverage
  • BBC Sounds (radio): Match commentary available for free via the BBC’s audio platform

Online platforms

Beyond traditional broadcasters, the official Six Nations Rugby regional rights guide lists coverage by country. Peacock (US, subscription required) and Premier Sports (Ireland, subscription required) offer the most reliable streams for viewers outside the UK.

What to watch

If you’re outside the UK, check which regional rights holder covers your country before searching for unofficial streams — the official channels are legitimate, affordable, and legally reliable.

What this means: for viewers outside the UK, identifying your rights holder first eliminates wasted effort on unofficial sources that may be blocked or unsafe.

Match timeline

The sequence of scoring at Allianz Stadium told a story of control that never quite felt secure. World Rugby official match data and ESPN detailed timeline provide the most complete record of scoring events.

Minute Event Score (England – Italy)
Kick-off Match begins at Allianz Stadium 0–0
4′ Tom Willis try 5–0
27′ Tommy Freeman try 12–0
35′ Ollie Sleightholme try 17–0
39′ Paolo Garbisi penalty (Italy) 17–3
Half-time Referee Andrew Brace signals end of first half 21–17
44′ Marcus Smith try 28–17
47′ Tom Curry try 35–17
53′ Ollie Sleightholme second try 42–17
70′ Tommaso Menoncello try 42–24
81′ Ben Earl try 47–24

The pattern is clear: England scored in clusters, but Italy’s ability to score at will through Capuozzo and Menoncello kept the contest alive until the final ten minutes. The half-time margin of 21-17 made England’s position feel more precarious than the final score suggests.

Confirmed facts versus what remains unclear

The verified record of this match is robust on match statistics but thinner on context and reactions. England Rugby official match report, Six Nations Rugby summary, and World Rugby match official record all confirm the score, scorers, and officials.

  • Match date: 9 March 2025 — confirmed by World Rugby
  • Final score: 47-24 — confirmed by England Rugby, Six Nations Rugby
  • England tries: seven, scored by Willis, Freeman, Sleightholme (×2), Smith, Curry, Earl — confirmed by ESPN
  • Standings impact: England moved to second — confirmed by England Rugby
  • Broadcast: UK on ITV/BBC — confirmed by Six Nations Rugby
  • Exact broadcast channel selection for specific UK regions remains unofficial
  • Post-match coach quotes not yet published by official sources
  • Full substitution details not available in the public record

What people are saying

England moved second in the 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship thanks to a seven-try victory over Italy.

England Rugby (Official Site)

England ran out convincing 47-24 winners over Italy in a thrilling encounter to keep their 2025 Championship title hopes alive.

Six Nations Rugby (Official Site)

Bottom line: Borthwick’s Ford call proved defensible — Fin Smith’s 6/7 conversions and Marcus Smith’s versatility justified the selection gamble, and England’s climb to second keeps their title hopes alive. But the 21-17 half-time score and Italy’s late surge make clear that another sluggish start in the final round could undo everything.

Related reading: World Cup of Darts 2025 – Results, Schedule, Highlights

Additional sources

youtube.com, sixnationsrugby.com, youtube.com, peacocktv.com, roku.com, tomsguide.com

England’s commanding 47-24 victory over Italy at Allianz Stadium featured George Ford’s drop goal alongside the match tries and report highlights.

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Frequently asked questions

When is England v Italy Six Nations 2025?

The match took place on Sunday 9 March 2025 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London, with kick-off at 15:00 GMT.

What is the England v Italy Six Nations 2025 score?

England won 47-24, scoring seven tries to Italy’s three. Fin Smith converted six of seven tries; Paolo Garbisi landed all three Italy conversions plus a penalty.

Who are the bookmakers’ favourites for Six Nations 2025?

France and Ireland entered the tournament as co-favorites. England’s win over Italy improved their position in the market, though they remained behind the leading pair heading into the final rounds.

How can Ireland still win the Six Nations?

Ireland needed results to go their way in the final rounds, with key fixtures between France and Scotland determining whether they could finish high enough to claim the championship or runner-up spot.

Why was George Ford dropped from the England squad?

Head coach Steve Borthwick prioritised form over experience, selecting Fin Smith at fly-half and Marcus Smith in a versatile role. Ford’s drop reflected the competition within the squad rather than any disciplinary issue.

Where can I watch England v Italy Six Nations for free?

UK residents with a TV license can access the match free on ITV or via BBC iPlayer streaming. These represent the most accessible options for UK-based viewers.

How many tries did England score against Italy?

England scored seven tries — by Tom Willis (4′), Tommy Freeman (27′), Ollie Sleightholme (35′, 53′), Marcus Smith (44′), Tom Curry (47′), and Ben Earl (81′).