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

"England started this championship ranked third in the world, a whisker behind the All Blacks in second, and feeling (not unreasonably) rather good about themselves after 11 Test wins in succession. Then it was 12 (Wales), and then oh dear. Now they are in danger of emulating their recent championships of 2018, 2021 and 2023, when they finished fifth, fifth and fourth respectively."

"Italy, though, will or should be harbouring grander ambitions. Fourth is their highest finish in the Six Nations (2007 and 2013), but there is little reason to argue they are not now worthy of a first finish in the top half, certainly if we are to go by the evidence of the first three rounds, from which they might very well have harvested more than the five points they have."

"There are only two teams Italy have never beaten, and England are one of them. Musing over whether the Azzurri might, finally, prevail in this fixture feels a little like the age-old musing over whether they might, finally, justify the patience and resources afforded them by the Six Nations and finish somewhere other than fifth (six times) or last (18 times, out of 26)."

England and Italy are level on points in the Six Nations with two rounds remaining. England, ranked third in the world before the championship with 11 consecutive Test wins, has struggled and now risks finishing fifth or last—emulating poor performances from 2018, 2021, and 2023. Italy has shown improvement, earning five points from three rounds and potentially deserving a top-half finish. The Rome fixture is crucial for both teams. Italy has never beaten England in Six Nations history, though they have shown competitive form. Italy's highest finish remains fourth place in 2007 and 2013, while they have historically finished fifth six times and last eighteen times in their Six Nations history.

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