Rugby, a chance for Italia against England in Rome
On the same day that France could win the Six Nations trophy with one round to spare (but watch out for the transalpines' tricky Scottish trip), the other big favourite for the final victory takes the field in Rome.
The Stadio Olimpico is once again sold out and there are great expectations for this Italia-England match. Facing the hosts 'in confidence' - and supported by a public dreaming of their first ever victory against the Whites - and what can be considered the great disappointment of the 2026 edition of the tournament so far. A signal? After three days, the two teams find themselves tied in the standings, something that had practically never happened before.
England started out dominating against Wales but then stranded in a 'reverse' double. Defeat at home to Scotland, who had been beaten in the first round in Italia, and rout at home against an Ireland side that had recovered in time to double their opponents in the scoreline: 42-21.
There was enough to open more than a court file from the media and English fans, somewhere between surprised and scandalised at what happened. And the results are put down in black and white by the line-up that coach Steve Borthwick has chosen for this weekend. Suffice it to say that less than half of the players involved 15 days earlier appear in the starting XV, and that among the three-quarter-halves and centre-halves, compared to the confirmed Freeman (who, however, switches from wing to centre), the other six players had not even been on the bench against Ireland.
There are far fewer changes among the Azzurri. Brex, absent in the last two rounds for family reasons, is back in the starting XV and a useful three-quarter like Allan is back on the bench. Pani is deployed fullback in place of the injured Capuozzo and the starting scrum-half will be Alessandro Garbisi, who takes over from Fusco. "For Garbisi it is also a recognition of the good work he did when he entered the match in progress," explained coach Gonzalo Quesada in a press conference, "and on the bench we keep a number of players who are well and can make an important contribution from a certain point of the match onwards.
