Rugby-England won't underestimate improving Italy says Jones

(Reuters) - England coach Eddie Jones said his side would underestimate Italy at their peril in Sunday's Six Nations clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome despite the home side having lost their last 33 games in the competition.

England's campaign got off to a poor start in Scotland last weekend with a 20-17 defeat but it would be a major shock were they to lose in Italy, potentially derailing Jones’ 2023 Rugby World Cup preparations.

But he warned his side will still have to put the work in and praised improvement of the "dangerous" Italian team under coach Kieran Crowley, a former New Zealand international outside back, since the latter took over in May 2021.

"They are a well-coached team and have made some rapid progress under Kieran, who we know is a very good coach," Jones told reporters on Friday.

"He knows Italian rugby culture and speaks a little bit of bad Italian. He is a good man to lead them with a great rugby knowledge."

Italy frustrated France for much of their 37-10 loss in Paris last weekend, and Jones was impressed with a number of their players. 

"They have guys like (flyhalf Paolo) Garbisi coming through and being good enough to keep a World Cup winner like Handre Pollard on the bench at Montpellier.

"(Michele) Lamaro, the seven, is a very tough, strong competitor and would make most international teams. And (loose-forward Sebastian) Negri is that Zimbabwean beef with an Italian accent, who brings front-foot rugby to their pack.

"They are not a team you can underestimate, you have to play well to beat them and I’m sure on Sunday Kieran will have them well prepared."

England have won all 28 previous tests against Italy, claiming a 41-18 win at Twickenham in last year’s Six Nations.

(Reporting by Nick