Italy v England betting tips, predictions, odds and free bets (Rugby - Six Nations - 14.2.2016)

Tuesday, 20 October 2020 18:11
Written by David Bet

England can take a real stranglehold on the 2016 Six Nations when they face Italy in Rome on Sunday afternoon. This article contains our ITALY v ENGLAND match preview, with betting tips and predictions, lineups, enhanced odds, exclusive betting offer and no deposit free bonuses on the 6 Nations.

ITALY v ENGLAND BETTING PREVIEW

Italy were extremely unlucky when they went down 23-21 to France in Paris in round 1 as the Azzurri held an eight point lead at one stage and a late drop goal attempt by Sergio Parisse went wide.

Italy have called Robert Barbieri and the uncapped Andrea Buondonno into their squad as injury cover with Jacopo Sarto and David Odiete missing out but have made just one change to their starting line-up with Luke McLean coming in at full-back. George Biagi looks to have kept his place despite picking up a knock, although he will be monitored ahead of kick-off.

England coach Eddie Jones got off to a winning start last weekend as they ran out 15-9 winners against Scotland at Murrayfield. They will want to continue their rebuilding process with a commanding win as two comprehensive victories on the road for England will stand them in good stead for a home stretch at Twickenham against Ireland and Wales

The Red Rose have made three changes to the team we saw last week. Mako Vunipola, Courtney Lawes and Ben Youngs will be includen in the starting XV. Joe Launchbury, Joe Marler and Danny Care all drop to the replacements. Saracens starlet Maro Itoje looks likely to finally get his chance to trot out for the Red Rose this Sunday.

England have won all 21 meetings between the sides so far. Last time in Rome was a stroll in the sunshine for England, leaving the Stadio Olimpico comfortable 52-11 winners. Anyway, four of the last eight wins were decided by less than seven points.

ITALY v ENGLAND LINEUPS

Italy: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mattia Bellini, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 George Fabio Biagi, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Andrea Lovotti

Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matteo Zanusso, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Valerio Bernabo, 20 Andries van Schalkwyk, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Edoardo Padovani, 23 Andrea Pratichetti

England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Billy Vunipola, 7 James Haskell, 6 Chris Robshaw, 5 George Kruis, 4 Courtney Lawes, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley (c), 1 Mako Vunipola

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Paul Hill, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Maro Itoje, 21 Jack Clifford, 22 Danny Care, 23 Alex Goode