Italy v England LIVE - Visitors fight back to lead in Roman battle

Ford splits the post and England are on the board.

Here come England! They finally get some phases together in Italian territory and win a penalty on the 22 metre line.

Ford will go for goal from here.

Wow, what a start from the hosts. England are yet to put an attack together.

L. Cannone looks like he might have an injury problem, but he's OK to continue.

Superb score from Italy! And it's no less than they deserve.

Brex goes on a barnstorming break and offloads neatly to L. Cannone, who bounces off one tackle before feeding A. Garbisi, who dives over to score under the posts.

Allan converts and Italy have a healthy early lead here.

Italy get it out of the scrum and start to build the phases. Their attack looks dangerous as Garbisi lofts a pass wide, then it comes back to the playmaker and he sends a superb cross-kick towards Ioane, but the bounce isn't great for the wing and he's bundled out of play.

This is a really promising start from the Azzurri, England are yet to get out of first gear.

England pinch a lineout on the 10m line in their own half and win back possession. They're yet to get into the Italian half, but Ford hangs up an early tester for Allan with an up and under, which the full-back deals with.

They send one back which Steward handles well, but a few phases later there's a knock-on and it will be an Italian scrum.

It's good! Fantastic kick from Allan and Italy go ahead!

Another call goes Italy's way, and Allan will kick this from around 40 metres out...

Italy win a penatly at the breakdown on halfway and kick to the 22. The line-out is good and they go through the hands before a cute grubber is gobbled up by the England defence and they can clear the danger.

Garbisi hangs a kick up in the air, Itoje grabs it, England win a penalty at the breakdown and clear to halfway. We're up and running in Rome.

Anthems done, souls stirred, and kick-off is moments away...

Ruzza runs out to the applause of the Olimpico on the day of his 50th cap.

A proud day for George too, who leads out England for the first time as captain.

Anthems coming up next!

To be fair to TNT Sports pundit Hoggy, he did make this call before the game last night…you can hear all the Scotland legend’s pre-tournament predictions here.

It's a beauty of a day for some rugby in the Eternal City, with a pastel blue sky hanging over the Olimpico.

A win would mean a lot to both sides; Italy's last home Six Nations win came 11 years ago against Ireland, while England have lost their last four openers...

In 2023-24, TNT Sports will bring you every match from the Investec Champions Cup, as well as a selection of matches from the Gallagher Premiership Rugby, EPCR Challenge Cup and Premiership Rugby Cup.

New England captain George said he wants his side to play with an “intensity we haven’t played at before” against Italy today.

Read all of the hooker's comments here:

Ireland legend and TNT Sports expert sat down with us this week to give his predictions about the tournament ahead...

The tournament got off to a thrilling start last night when defending Grand Slam champions Ireland put France to the sword.

It was a statement win from Andy Farrell's side in a game many had touted as a potential title decider - read all about it here:

Borthwick has five uncapped players in his matchday squad for this opener, including two in the starting XV - centre Dingwall and flanker Roots.

Cunningham-South, Smith and Feyi-Waboso could also debut from the bench today.

George captains the side in the absence of Farrell, who is sitting out the tournament to look after his mental health.

Today marks the start of the Gonzalo Quesada reign for Italy, the man who replaced Kieran Crowley as coach after the World Cup.

He hasn't rolled the dice too much with his first XV, but suffered a late blow when star wing Capuozzo was ruled out yesterday with illness, replaced by Pani.

The Garbisi brothers make up the half-back partnership, with Varney on the bench.

First up, a bit of breaking team news - Ellis Genge has been ruled out for England with a foot injury.

The prop was named among the substitutes, but has had to be replaced by Beno Obano.