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England v Italy, Six Nations 2023: What time is kick-off and what TV channel is it on?

Marcus Smith - England vs Italy, Six Nations 2023: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction? - Getty Images/Tullio Puglia
Marcus Smith - England vs Italy, Six Nations 2023: What time is kick-off, what TV channel is it on and what is our prediction? - Getty Images/Tullio Puglia

Italy have never beaten England and England are favourites for this match which, will be Steve Borthwick’s second match at Twickenham as head coach.

Italy are an improving side, however, and it would be no shock to see them ask more questions of England at Twickenham than they have done before.

History is certainly not on the Italy side, however. These two teams have faced off 29 times with England winning every one of those encounters. What’s more, the total points scored by both teams in the 16 matches played between them at Twickenham stands at 720 for England against 190 from Italy.

Borthwick will say all the right things but privately he will know this is a must-win game for him early in his tenure as England coach and the sort of match a side should be winning by a huge margin if they have serious ambitions of a Six Nations title, especially after an opening game loss against Scotland.

The most points Italy have mustered at Twickenham is 23 way back in 2001. They surely have to do better than that to have any chance of causing an upset.

When and where is England v Italy?

This round-two match between England and Italy will take place on Sunday February 12, with kick-off at Twickenham at 3pm (GMT).

The other matches on the second weekend of the Championship are Ireland v France at 2.15pm and Scotland v Wales at 4.45pm.

What TV channel is England v Italy on?

England vs Italy will be broadcast on ITV.

Who is in England’s 36-man squad?

Backs: Henry Arundell, Owen Farrell, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Alex Mitchell, Henry Slade, Fin Smith, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.

Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Ben Curry, Alex Dombrandt, Tom Dunn, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Joe Heyes, Jonny Hill, Nick Isiekwe, Maro Itoje, Lewis Ludlam, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Sam Simmonds, Kyle Sinckler, Mako Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.

What happened in this fixture in 2022?

Italy failed to score a point against England in an error-strewn 0-33 defeat at Stadio Olimpico. Following their defeat in the opening round against Scotland, England bounced back to winning ways with an impressive display, inspired by Marcus Smith.

Read Telegraph Sport’s full coverage of the match here.

What is the latest team news?

Henry Arundell and Anthony Watson could join forces in England’s back three against Italy, as Borthwick ponders an injection of outright pace for his second match in charge.

The move may mean that one of those speedsters is deployed at full-back, at least for part of the game, with indications that Freddie Steward, who has been on the field for every minute of England’s last 18 Test matches, is possibly in line to be rotated to the bench or rested.

Jack Willis, meanwhile, is set for a return to the squad and would appear to be set to start at openside flanker as a direct replacement for Ben Curry. Willis did not appear against Scotland because commitments for Toulouse, whom he joined following the demise of Wasps, compromised his preparations for the Calcutta Cup. Having faced Bayonne in the Top 14, he has returned to the England squad.

Who is the referee?

New Zealander James Doleman will take charge of the match, with assistance coming from Mathieu Raynal (FFR) and Tual Trainini (FFR). Eric Gauzins (FFR), meanwhile, will be television match official (TMO) for the day.

England v Italy best of the latest odds

  • England: 1/11

  • Draw: 50/1

  • Italy: 10/1

Odds correct as of February 8

What is our prediction?

England 32 Italy 13

A first win for Borthwick’s side, with a big step forward in performance and comfortable victory despite Italy’s progress.