History is made as Italy conquer England after 33 long years

After 33 attempts, 32 defeats, and three decades of near-misses and heartbreak, Italy finally slayed the English dragon on Saturday night, 7 March, and they did it in style.

The Stadio Olimpico erupted into delirium as Leonardo Marin crossed for the history-making try with just seven minutes remaining, sealing a tense 23-18 victory that will reverberate through Italian rugby for generations. This was not just another Six Nations win. This was the scalp that proved the Azzurri belong at Europe’s top table, the result that justified every year of development, every near-miss, every painful lesson absorbed.

England arrived in Rome reeling from a record 42-21 mauling at home to Ireland, made 10 changes to their starting XV, and promptly fell apart when it mattered most. Their discipline evaporated in the Roman heat, with Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje both spending time in the sin-bin as Italy’s resolute performance reduced the visitors’ hopes to rubble.

From dominance to disaster

The narrative seemed worryingly familiar for Italy supporters in the opening exchanges. England dominated possession for the first quarter-hour, flexing their physical superiority and controlling territory. But the moment the Azzurri got ball in hand, everything changed. Suddenly it was Italy eating up ground, Italy looking dangerous, Italy asking questions England couldn’t answer.

Paolo Garbisi, conducting proceedings with the poise of a seasoned maestro, nudged the hosts ahead with a 21st-minute penalty after England strayed offside at their own lineout. Sloppy from the visitors, sharp from Italy, a dynamic that would define the evening.

England hit back five minutes later through centre Tommy Freeman, who profited from a scrum penalty and slick passing to cross on the left. The conversion attempt drifted wide, leaving England 5-3 ahead but far from comfortable.

Then came the moment that announced Italy’s intent. Tommaso Menoncello, who would torment England all evening, ran a sublime line to bisect two lumbering English forwards and streak clear for a converted try. The Stadio Olimpico exploded. Italy led 10-5, and suddenly belief coursed through the home ranks.

England regained the lead on the stroke of half-time through Tom Roebuck, who collected a perfectly weighted Finn Smith cross-kick to cut inside and score. Smith’s conversion made it 12-10 at the break, and the visitors appeared to have weathered the storm.

Fly-half Smith extended the advantage with two penalties early in the second half, the second coming while Italy hooker Giacomo Nicotera sat in the sin-bin for a cynical infringement. At 18-10 down with their pack a man light, Italy’s historic quest looked destined for familiar disappointment.

But this was not the Italy of old.

The turning point arrived when Underhill, only starting because Tom Curry injured himself in the warm-up, collected a yellow card for a high tackle that somehow survived bunker review. Garbisi, ice in his veins, slotted the penalty. Three minutes later, his boot found the target again, this time rattling in off the post. Suddenly England’s lead had shrunk to 18-16 with 20 minutes remaining.

Then came the hammer blow for the visitors. Captain Itoje joined Underhill in the sin-bin as England’s penalty count spiralled out of control. For a few critical minutes, Italy enjoyed a two-man advantage. Garbisi kicked to the corner, the home pack set up a lineout drive, and only desperate English defence dragged the maul into touch to survive.

But before Itoje could return to the fray, Italy struck the decisive blow.

The try that made history

Menoncello, magnificent throughout, crashed through a feeble tackle attempt from fullback Elliot Daly and found Leonardo Marin sprinting into space. The winger needed no second invitation, racing clear to score beneath the posts. Garbisi’s conversion made it 23-18 with seven minutes remaining.

The Stadio Olimpico became a cauldron of noise. Every tackle, every clearance kick, every defensive set met with roars that shook the Roman night. England threw everything at Italy in the dying minutes, but the hosts held firm. When the final whistle sounded, three decades of frustration poured out in scenes of unbridled joy.

What it all means

If Italy defeat Wales in Cardiff next weekend, it would mark their first three-win Six Nations campaign and could see them finish third, their best-ever championship position. The progress under Gonzalo Quesada has been remarkable, but this result takes it to another stratosphere.

For England, the situation borders on crisis. A side that thrashed Wales 48-7 in their tournament opener and rode a 12-match winning streak that included beating New Zealand in November has now lost three consecutive matches. They will travel to Paris for the final round knowing they can finish no higher than fourth.

Steve Borthwick made 10 changes after the Ireland humiliation, but wholesale alterations could not solve the fundamental issues. England’s discipline remains a glaring weakness, their gameplan appears muddled, and the confidence that defined their autumn campaign has evaporated.