The Breakdown | Again we dare to wonder if this is Italy’s time – because England’s confidence looks shot

Italy matched France physically and, while England have never lost to the Azzurri, Saturday is a Six Nations chance as good as any for the hosts Italy and England. On level points in the Six Nations table. Two rounds to go. And England have already played their Wales joker. All in all, there is quite a lot riding on the fixture in Rome on Saturday, especially if you are interested in the lower reaches of the Six Nations table, a purgatory with which even England are quite familiar. They start...

By Michael Aylwin