Italy vs England Prediction and Betting Tips: Best bets for England's opening Six Nations clash
Posted: 19:14 Friday 2nd February 2024
England eventually came good to finish third at last year's Rugby World Cup, but Steve Borthwick has promised that his side will play with more ambition in the 2024 Six Nations, although that might not immediately be the case against Italy on Saturday.
The Red Rose were criticised for their less than free-flowing approach in France and it appears their priority in Rome will again be to stifle the opposition and take the chances that come their way when the game opens up.
Therefore, new skipper Jamie George, a serial scorer against the Azzurri, could be a player to watch for the Red Rose.
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Italy vs England Tips
Handicap: England -15
Marcus Smith's injury may have forced Borthwick's hand tactically but the decision to select veteran George Ford ahead of rookie Fin Smith at fly-half suggests the boss is keen to control the game and build a score.
Attacking rugby is all well and good, but playing winning rugby is even better. The England forwards showed at the World Cup that they can outclass their opponents and could look to keep things tight early on as they aim to grind their opponents down.
Ford's kicking game will put his forwards in the right positions and force the Azzurri into potential mistakes.
That said, with new Italy boss Gonzalo Quesada keen to emulate his predecessor Kieran Crowley by playing fast-paced, attacking rugby, England's patient game could be supplemented by a few unforced errors from the hosts.
Those will only impact the Azzurri's morale and with both pace and power to come from the bench, England should run out comfortable winners.
Anytime Tryscorer - Jamie George
An area where England's forwards will feel they can get on top is by dominating the line-out and then by gaining territory through their driving maul.
As his team's hooker, George is the man who usually controls the ball at the back of the drive and is likely to get chances to peel off and make metres with ball-in-hand or perhaps touch down when his side has possession close to the opposition line.
The Saracens’ star has a superb record against the Azzurri, which includes scoring three tries in the last two meetings between the two nations.
With the extra motivation of leading the side out at the Olimpico, George is a real candidate to rumble over again.
Anytime tryscorer - Tommaso Menocello
Italy were crushed by both New Zealand and France at the World Cup. That was hardly unexpected, but they were not helped by the pre-tournament bicep injury to centre Tommaso Menoncello.
Also able to play on the wing, Menoncello may not be able to provide the midfield power that the Azzurri lacked at that tournament but his ability to glide through gaps can put his side on the front foot.
With England's new centre partnership of Fraser Dingwall and Henry Slade potentially taking time to bed in, the 21-year-old looks an excellent price to show the Italian fans what they were missing at the World Cup.
Menoncello has scored a decent tally of five tries in his 13 caps and it would be no surprise to see the stylish centre exploit any doglegs in the English rearguard.
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