Italy vs England rugby prediction, lineups, team news, odds and tips
England kick-off their 2024 Six Nations campaign with a trip to Rome to face Italy.
After a successful World Cup which saw them come within minutes of making the final, Steve Borthwick will be looking for his side to push on and be serious title contenders, after several years of below par efforts in Europe’s elite international competition.
By contrast Italy endured a woeful World Cup, with heavy losses to New Zealand and France, so new head coach Gonzalo Quesada has a big job on his hands to rebuild the confidence of his players – can they finally convert all that talent into meaningful results?
Can England defy the Six Nations odds to mount a title charge?
Italy vs England Rugby Prediction
England have been notoriously slow starters in the Six Nations; in fact they haven’t won their opening fixture since the famous victory over Ireland in 2019, while Italy have tended to do their best work early in the competition.
The visitors will have to be fully focussed from the off to avoid a historic loss. But they will take confidence from their record in Rome where they have won by an average of 33 points on their last five visits.
For the first time in over a decade England will enter this Six Nations (best price 13/2 to win the tournament on Paddy Power) without Owen Farrell and Courtney Lawes, with the pair stepping away from test rugby.
It is a much-changed England side from the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France but they should have too much firepower for the 500/1 Six Nations outsiders.
Italy vs England Lineups
Here are the confirmed lineups for Saturday’s match at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Italy team to play England:
Allan; Capuozzo, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
England team to play Italy:
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Italy vs England Team News
Steve Borthwick has named the highly experienced George Ford as the starting fly-half in place of Farrell, while Ethan Roots makes his international debut in the number six inhabited by Lawes for so many years.
Alex Mitchell was a doubt for the game with an injury but has been declared fit to start alongside Ford in the half-backs. Their battle with the Garbisi brothers for Italy will obviously be a crucial one.
England have also handed a debut to Fraser Dingwall at inside centre after a strong season for Northampton, while Chandler Cunningham-South, Fin Smith and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso could also make their test debuts from the bench.
Italy vs England Odds
Italy v England Betting Tips
Betting Tip: Jamie George Anytime Tryscorer @ 6/4 on Betway
New England skipper Jamie George can get his tenure off to the perfect start on Saturday against a side who he has enjoyed great success against in the past. The Saracens hooker has 13 tries at test level, with five of those coming against Italy.
As we saw in the World Cup, Steve Borthwick has tried to take his side back to the traditional foundations of English rugby and a strong driving maul is a key part of that.
George excels in these scenarios and if England get within striking distance I expect them to try and assert their dominance over the Italian pack.
At a best price of 6/4 on Betway and LivescoreBet, I’m happy to take the hooker to make it at least 14 test tries for his country.
Gamble responsibly
Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit begambleaware.org.
