Italy 5-34 EnglandEngland’s bonus-point win sets up Six Nations title triumphOn a balmy evening in Rome it was as if
England were grappling with two different opponents. Their blue-clad hosts were eventually seen off but the restrained red rose body language at the final whistle reflected the more complicated bigger picture. Not until the championship’s last tango in
Paris had finished could they celebrate unreservedly.
The history books will also show that England’s Six Nations title, their first since 2017, owed most to a player for whom this was already a memorable weekend. In addition to winning his 100th England cap, Ben Youngs’ brace of sharp tries at the start of each half were ultimately the decisive thrusts that pierced the hearts not just of
Italy but all the other Super Saturday contenders.