There is no individual trophy awarded to the winner of the England match against Italy every year in the Six Nations, which is just as well, because it would never have changed hands.
Fifteen days ago, after France beaten the Azzurri 73-24 in Rome, the most delicate task of the victorious captain Antoine Dupont of a unilateral occasion involved carrying the giant, ugly and ugly Giuseppe Garibaldi trophy to his teammates for a Musid celebration. It is certainly not the price at which the French are the most sought after, but at least they had something to show to avoid another upheaval, after a 13-13 draw in Lille last year.
Despite the recent eruption, what exists between these neighboring countries is a rivalry in good faith – by which “two groups engage in a lasting and competitive relationship”. To date, no relationship of this type has really existed between England and Italy, and not to the extent that a feeling of danger has resulted in a real reversal of the familiar hierarchy.
This afternoon in Twickenham, the wait among the home crowd will be that non-rivalry will continue. In terms of results, this is the only championship match in this category. The 100% victory rate of England is the only one detained by one side against any other in the European brand test event. What this represents is a quarter of a century of one -way traffic.
The Italians claimed various other important hair leathers. They beat each of France, Ireland, Wales, Scotland several times and, far from the Six Nations, they also managed to reduce the colors of Australia and South Africa. But, with the All Blacks, England are the opponents who have never succumbed to them. In the context of the championship, it was a round rout so far: played 25, England won 25.
England players represent the training in Twickenham on the eve of Sunday’s confrontation with Italy
The hosts of England will be heavy favorites to beat Italy and will have to win generously
This means that the pressure and expectations are completely on the side of Steve Barthwick on Sunday and that it could prove to be an annoying burden. The dangers are not difficult to spot. They enter a banana skin match with an aligned aligned and praise of low praise in their ears after the narrow victory against Scotland. The conviction of their negative tactics to recover the Calcutta Cup by a point led to a turn of English wagons.
It is always their favorite mentality in the camp. The vice-captain Ellis Genge came out in York about criticism, including ex-players being “disconnected”, which highlighted the mood of the challenge. They will have to exploit this, because Italy has a lot of fuel in the motivation tank.
The men of Gonzalo Quesada will be injured and embarrassed after conceding 73 points at home. It was a wild test and without a doubt, the investigation was deeply unpleasant. If a team was going to be in the output mode, that’s all. Captain Michele Lamaro and his colleagues will have climbed the walls all week, desperate to go to England, as the first step towards redemption.
They will not be intimidated at Twickenham and, frankly, it is not surprising. First of all, last year’s match in Rome fell over the course before England seized a return victory of 27-24, which was closest that this “rivalry” ever shocked.
Italy will have seen how Scotland managed to manage against England and believe that they have the firepower to inflict similar damage. They are armed with undoubtedly the best central partnership in the competition – Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex, the double act of Benetton which can bring power and dexterity, a threat of racing, ending pedigree and defensive influence.
Reflections and prayers with Fraser Dingwall and Ollie Lawrence as they try to contain these two. Likewise, the defense of England will have to stop visiting the full back Angel Capuzzo before embarking on its stride, or the Toulouse flyer could wreak havoc.
Steve Barthwick’s team won two six -nations games in one point after losing against Ireland
Italy has never beaten England, which led 1,224-380 on the aggregates after their first 31 meetings
Barthwick must hope that his decision to build a rear line around a club – Northampton – will have the desired effect by making England commonly and fast. It will probably be the game when they seek to play with a bold intention, before returning to their territorial shell in terms of security and security for the trip to Cardiff to face the Wales next weekend next weekend.
There is also the small affair of a Marcus Smith with anxiety that simmer on the bench and began to take stock each time and wherever it is deployed, probably after the break. When the Harlequins playmaker enters the fray, England hopes to be in control and this could allow them to resuscitate the loss of resistance with category the dashboard. Barthwick’s men must show that they can set foot on their throat and keep them there.
To do this, they need control in advance and a resumption of their fine work in this campaign. The return of Jamie George to the starting XV will improve this process, and Ellis Genge and Stuart will be able to further improve their cases of lions if they eclipse another lumping pack in the fray. England will also be convinced that Ben Earl and Currys, Tom and Ben, can lead another Blitz from breakdown and prevent the slow burn that has hampered the attack efforts against Scotland.
They won ugly; Now England must win with a fulfillment, to bite their detractors hard. If they can make it 26 out of 26 and enhance a certain creativity and cohesion in the process, the so-called “outside noise” will soon disappear. But it’s a big one.