The Steve Borthwick era is up and running. After the disappointing defeat against Scotland last weekend, this was a more encouraging display from an England perspective.

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Written by| Riky zorkhoven
sports section CJ journalist
13 FEB.2023-

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      A victory was excellent in Borthwick’s image; lineouts, rolling mauls, defensive organisation, physically dominant. Five tries and a bonus point.

Admittedly, it was Italy only (that wins 30 times in a row for England against the Azzurri, who despite pre-match predictions that they might make life difficult for England, only offered a sporadic threat). But in the broader arc, it was positive.

On another side, their Selection-wise – surprise – England looked far more balanced with one 10 in Owen Farrell and two specialist centres in Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade. The latter was particularly effective to this observer, although the former was given the Man of the Match award.

It will be interesting to see whether Borthwick gives Dan Kelly the No 12 shirt when he is fit, as he has hinted, or whether he persists with Lawrence.

Up front, Jack Willis made a sensational return to the starting lineup, scoring a try and making 20 tackles in his 52 minutes on the field. A major plus for England. Maro Itoje looked also looked better than he has in recent games. He was a big part of a resolute first-half England defence. Jamie George was accurate at the lineout.

The negatives would be that England was losing the second half 14-7 until Henry Arundell’s late score from fellow replacement Alex Mitchell’s pass. Also, the fact that it took until then for an England back to actually get on the scoresheet.

The second half was definitely scrappy. There was even an onfield scrap between Farrell and Sebastian Negri which Borthwick looked furious about.

And the game fizzled out as a contest which was a shame considering the gems on England's bench. Marcus Smith, after his high-profile demotion, finally came on for Slade, with Farrell moving to inside centre, rather than in a straight swap for the England captain. The match was long over by then.

But England can add finesse further down the line. Borthwick said he wanted physical dominance and some bite from his forwards, and he got it. This was a performance to build on.