Italy Claims Historic First Win Over England in Six Nations

ROME (AP) — Italy defeated England 23-18 at the Stadio Olimpico on Saturday, March 7, 2026, marking their first-ever victory over England in a rugby international according to the Associated Press. The win comes after 32 previous meetings between the two nations dating back to 1992.

England’s Lead Crumples Under Italian Pressure

England initially built an 18-10 lead with tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, complemented by the kicking accuracy of Fin Smith. However, Italy mounted a comeback in the third quarter, spearheaded by Paolo Garbisi, who successfully converted two penalties as reported by ESPN.

Sin Bins Prove Costly for England

The momentum shifted further in Italy’s favor as Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje were both issued yellow cards, resulting in their temporary removal from the game. Italy capitalized on this numerical advantage, with Leonardo Marin scoring a crucial try down the left touchline to secure the historic win as detailed by the BBC.

A Historic Defeat for England

This defeat marks England’s first loss to Italy in Six Nations history. Should England fail to secure a victory against France in their next match, they risk finishing the Six Nations with only one win, representing their worst performance in the tournament to date.

Match Details and Key Moments

England faced a reshuffled lineup due to an injury to Tom Curry during the warm-up. Despite early dominance in aerial exchanges, they struggled to convert their opportunities into points. A series of errors, including at the breakdown and scrum, allowed Italy to gain field position.

Tommaso Menoncello also scored a try for Italy, while England’s Smith was charged down and dropped a pass. Giacomo Nicotera was also sent to the sin-bin for Italy.

Looking Ahead

The Six Nations continues with crucial matches in the coming weeks. The final round on Saturday, March 14th, will feature Ireland vs. Scotland, Wales vs. Italy and France vs. England according to the BBC. The outcomes of these matches will determine the final standings and the championship winner.