England 47-24 Italy result - Ollie Sleightholme scores brace of tries to keep Six Nations title hopes alive

England kept their Six Nations title hopes alive by scoring seven tries during an entertaining 47-24 win over Italy.

Steve Borthwick’s side head to Cardiff next week knowing that a bonus-point victory and a slip-up from France would see them crowned champions.

Despite the final scoreline, Italy impressed during the first half at Twickenham as Tom Willis and Tom­my Free­man saw their tries cancelled out by Ange Ca­puoz­zo and Ross Vint­cent in reply.

However, Ollie Sleightholme combined with Marcus Smith to score England’s third try before the break for a 21-17 lead.

Borthwick’s side wrapped up the match with three tries in 12 impressive second-half minutes.

Smith was the first across the whitewash just three minutes after half-time to give England a comfortable advantage.

Three minutes later, Tom Curry used his strength to put the hosts out of sight and Sleightholme added a further score.

England then went into cruise control, allowing Italy to gain some momentum and Tom­ma­so Menon­cel­lo capitalised on some poor defending to score a reply.

However, the hosts sent their fans home happy with Ben Earl scoring a seventh try at the death.

Italy captain Michele Lamaro has reflected on his side’s heavy defeat at the hands of England.

He told ITV Sport: "We were very inconsistent. I think we lost a little bit of our consistency during the game.

"We had some brilliant moments, but then we were switching off during some periods.

"At the start of the second half, we conceded two clear opportunities for them, and obviously they're a great team so they took it.

"We need to work on that, we've been saying this a lot of times. We have to look at ourselves and stay safe together because we've got another massive week, a massive game and a short period of time to recover, so we still have to stay together."

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Player of the match Ollie Chessum reflected on his side’s 47-24 win against Italy.

He told ITV Sport: "Very happy. Big day.

"Our final game at home in this competition, so we wanted to put a show on for everyone.

"For Jamie [George] as well, with it being his 100th cap, it meant that bit more so we wanted to free ourselves up and put some points on the board. We did that.

"We always want to score points and we found it difficult in the last couple of games, but the coaches freed us up this week, to really have a go with the ball and be aggressive in our half and in the opposition half."

On next week against Wales, he said: "We’ve just got to take care of what we can take care of. Wales away is always a massive game down there."

England head into their final Six Nations game against Wales full of confidence and still in the championship race.

Steve Borthwick’s side are a point behind leaders France heading into the final round of fixtures.

England will look to pick up a bonus-point win against Wales and hope that Scotland can cause an upset in Paris.

England run out convincing winners following a superior second half performance.

Ben Curry picks the ball off his opponent and then makes a darting run before feeding Earl to run over.

The conversion is wide.

Italy survive a late England onslaught as they get Finn Baxter off his feet a metre from their red zone.

Italy make another change in this game as Ca­puoz­zo comes on for Gal­lagher

After starting the second half with a bang, the pressure has been taken off England in this last 20 minutes.

With England cruising through the match the atmosphere at Twickenham is also quieter.

A blood injury for Dingwall and he comes off for Hill.

Zuliani with a driving run before being pulled down a metre short of the whitewash. From the ball back out England fail to pick up the run of Menoncello who darts through a gap.

Gar­bisi converts to pull his side back to 18 points behind.

Can­none makes way for Italy and is replaced by Favret­to

Meanwhile, Capuozzo is replaced by Allan.

It’s sloppy from Italy as Gallagher picks up the ball and makes a nice run. However, his pass to release Garbisi is forwards and the chance is wasted.

Italy play the ball quickly into space and look likely to score another try. However, Mitchell reads the situation well and makes a key challenge.

That’s his last piece of play as Mitchell is replaced by Van Poortvli­et

England make two changes: Bax­ter on for Genge;  Heyes on for Stuart.

Italy also make a substitution as Spag­no­lo is on for Fis­chet­ti.

After being cleaned up following a blood substitution Earl is back on for Hill.

England almost score again as they try and intercept Italy’s play. Eventually, the ball is kicked towards the posts by Daly.

Nobody in an England shirt can chase it and Italy can regain territory.

Tom Curry has had enough as he limps off the pitch and is replaced by Hill.

Italy almost make a further change with Page-Re­lo on for Varney.

George’s 100th appearance for England comes to an end as he is replaced by Cow­an-Dick­ie

England turn on the pressure as Itoje gets England on the front foot before Mitchell plays a lovely ball out wide where George finds Sleightholme.

Once again Finn Smith sends it over the posts.