Italy rejoice after claiming first-ever victory against England

ROME, March 7 : Italy pulled off their first-ever win over England at the 33rd attempt with a stunning 23-18 win at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday as the visitors slumped to a third successive Six Nations defeat after Leonardo Marin's try eight minutes from time.

The Italians had beaten every other Six Nations side since joining the competition in 2000 but England had always remained untouchable. This time, Italy sensed their chance had arrived and the win in the Eternal City will live long in the memory.

England had never looked as vulnerable coming into a game against Italy, after back-to-back defeats by Scotland and Ireland, and Steve Borthwick's much-changed side failed to hold onto an eight-point advantage in the second half.

England took a two-point lead into the break after tries from Tommy Freeman and Tom Roebuck, while Tommaso Menoncello went over for Italy and Paolo Garbisi added five from the boot.

Smith sent two penalties over to extend England's advantage and Italy looked to be on the ropes but were revitalised by two Garbisi penalties and England's poor discipline, with Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje sent to the sin-bin.

Italy's Monty Ioane did well to gather a cross-field kick, Menoncello took the pass and raced ahead before finding Marin with an infield pass and Garbisi converted, with England guilty of errors late in the game as Italy held on for a landmark win.

"I felt a little bit of tension before the game, we were pretty nervous," Italy captain Michele Lamaro told ITV.

"We built that sort of confidence into the game, and we stuck to them. We were really close for the whole game, they got the two yellow cards, and we managed to go over the line, and that was it."

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