England vs Italy, Six Nations 2023: Kick-off time, TV channel, where to watch, team news, lineups, odds

An opening weekend defeat by Scotland was not the start Eddie Jones’ replacement as head coach would have hoped for in the Calcutta Cup, and he has since emphasised how significant the rebuild required is.

Time is not on his side though, with a World Cup looming on the horizon later in the year and more immediately a clash against an Italian side who showed plenty more promise against France.

They led with 18 minutes remaining against the Grand Slam champions last weekend before ultimately being edged out, but the Azzurri will have taken real confidence from that display having stunned Wales and Australia last year.

A defeat to Scotland was disappointing and, for all Italy’s clear improvements, another Twickenham loss here would be absolutely disastrous for England.

England vs Italy date, kick-off time and venue

England vs Italy brings a close to the second weekend of Six Nations action, after Ireland vs France and Scotland vs Wales on Saturday.

The match is due to begin at 3pm GMT on Sunday February 12, taking place at Twickenham Stadium in south-west London.

How to watch England vs Italy

TV channel: England vs Italy is being broadcast live and free-to-air on ITV1 in the UK, with coverage beginning at 2.15pm.

Live stream: Fans can also catch all the action live online via the ITVX app or ITV website.

Live blog: Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert analysis from rugby correspondent Nick Purewal at Twickenham.

England vs Italy team news

Henry Slade is back in the England set-up, after he was named in the squad earlier this week having recovered from injury.

A hip problem kept him out of the Scotland clash, but the Exeter centre is back in contention and has returned to the group along with London Irish wing Henry Arundell, who has overcome a foot injury.

Ben Youngs, Ben Curry and Anthony Watson - all of whom saw the field against Scotland - were all omitted from the slimmed-down 29-man group named by Borthwick on Wednesday.

Alex Mitchell is set to be the back-up to starting scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet, with the fit-again Arundell likely to take Watson’s spot on the bench.

Jack Willis could be drafted in to start in place of Curry, having not been considered in round one due to club commitments with Toulouse.

It remains to be seen when fly-half Paolo Garbisi return for Italy. His absence against France was a big one, as he continues to recover from a knee injury, and Italy will be desperate to have one of their key players back in the side.

Monty Ioane, Toa Halafihi, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Leonardo Marin and David Sisi are also out injured for ex-All Black Kieran Crowley.

England vs Italy lineups

The lineups are set to be announced on Friday - check back in then for all the confirmed team news.

England vs Italy head to head (h2h) history and results

Italy have lost every match they have ever played against England, and have rarely ever got close to pulling off a Twickenham upset.

England wins: 29

Italy wins: 0

Draws: 0

England vs Italy prediction

Nothing but a win will do for England. Borthwick has claimed the team “weren’t good at anything” in the autumn under Jones, but that will be no excuse should his side be on the receiving end of a huge upset.

The defensive set-up let England down against Scotland, for all there were signs of promise elsewhere on the pitch. The attack already looked to be clicking into gear and should enjoy further success against Italy, even if questions remain over Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell playing together.

Italy threatened to pounce on an incredibly ill-disciplined display from France, who gave up 18 penalties. England will surely not be so generous, while Italy’s awful record at Twickenham, and against England generally, remains a mental hurdle.

A fast start will be important for Borthwick’s side to ensure that no nerves build in the stands, and England showed enough in attack against Scotland to suggest they can produce that. There may well be some sticky moments, but the first win of the new era should come in relatively comfortable fashion.