Italy 23-18 England result - Azzurri record first-ever win over ragged England after stirring final-quarter comeback

Leonardo Marin’s late try sealed Italy’s first-ever win over England at the 33rd attempt after a superb final-quarter comeback at a rocking Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

The result is sure to pile more pressure on England coach Steve Borthwick, who made nine changes but was unable to halt a nosedive in form as his side suffered a third straight defeat that leaves them second-bottom of the Six Nations standings.

It was another magical day for the ever-improving Azzurri, who notched their second win of the campaign after an opening-day victory over Scotland.

Gonzalo Quesada’s side now have the chance to win three Six Nations games in a single campaign for the first time when they travel to rock-bottom Wales for Super Saturday next weekend.

England’s day got off to a bad start when influential flanker Tom Curry limped out of the warm-up, and things didn’t get much better when Paolo Garbisi kicked Italy in front after a dull, error-strewn opening 20 minutes.

The game came to life when Tommy Freeman crossed to put England in front and although Tommaso Menoncello quickly responded, Fin Smith’s smart cross-kick to find Tom Roebuck for a try with the final action of the half sent England into the sheds on a high.

A yellow card for Azzurri hooker Giacomo Nicotera and two Smith penalties seemed to have swayed the game definitively in England’s favour at 18-10, but Sam Underhill’s yellow in the 57th minute proved a turning point.

England unravelled from then on, with Garbisi kicking two penalties in three minutes to reduce the deficit to two points before captain Maro Itoje was sin-binned to leave Italy with a two-man advantage for a period after Nicotera returned.

However, it took until two minutes from time for the decisive blow to land, when the sublime Menoncello burst down the left wing and offloaded for substitute Marin to cross and spark wild celebrations in the Eternal City.

Speaking to the BBC, the England captain said: "It is disappointing. I think it is on us as players - we have to own the performance. This team has put together good performances over the past year, but recently we haven’t. We have to face the facts and get back to work.

"We have to figure it out. If we knew [what went wrong], we wouldn’t be in this position. We have to stick together. Teams go through tough periods, and we are going through a tough period now, so we have to stick together.

"We have to own the result, and it is a results business. As captain, I take responsibility for that."

"It was disappointing, but it is on us as players. Over the past year, this team has put together some great performances," said England captain Itoje.

"We have to face reality and deliver some good performances. We need to stick together and figure it out.

"It's a results business, and we have to take responsibility for that."

Here is what the Italy skipper had to say to ITV.

"We felt tension before the game as we were nervous. We were close the whole game," said Lamaro.

"We fought together as always. We stuck together as a wall in defence."

Incredible! A first ever win for the Azzurri in this fixture and the Olimpico is ROCKING!

Desperate times for England, who suffer a third straight defeat and are staring down the barrel at their worst ever Six Nations campaign.

This could be it.

A huge carry from Chessum takes England up to the Italian 22. But no! Italy turn it over and they celebrate that like it has won the match - it may well have done. Captain Lamaro the hero with a superb steal.

Marcus Smith - a late sub - fumbles a high ball and Italy are right where they want to be, attacking inside the English half.

"Italia, Italia," chant the crowd.

Smith kicks out on the full. The Rome crowd is buzzing. Five minutes to go. What have you got, England?

Itoje will rejoin the fray shortly too.

They've done it! The Olimpico explodes as Italy go in front with just eight minutes left on the clock. Menoncello is again heavily involved, bursting down the wing and offloading to Marin, who dives over the line.

Italy are within touching distance of a first-ever win over England - can they see it through?

England have it five metres from the Italian line but the ball squirms loose and Italy boot it all the way up the pitch to just outside the English 22!

They needed that. A bit over-eager from replacement hooker Di Bartolomeo, who takes the man out in the air. Meanwhile, Davison is on for Heyes and Chessum replaces Underhill, whose sin bin period is over. It is 15 v 14 for another six-and-a-half minutes until Itoje returns.

There are white-shirted celebrations as the England defence manage to drive a dangerous-looking Italian maul off the pitch. But they are up against it here. George is down receiving treatment.

Oh dear. The captain slaps the ball out of Fusco's hand at the back of the maul and he's gone. England are unravelling here....

Sigh of relief for the England fans there, as mitigation is applied following a bunker review. The flanker has another three minutes left to go in the bin - can Italy take advantage of the extra man?

Captain Lamaro takes over throwing duties for the Italian lineout with Nicotera still in the bin, and just about gets the job done. Italy soon win another penalty - their third in four minutes by my count - and Garbisi kicks them right back up into the English half just in time for the hooker to return. It is 15 v 14 now.

A super strike from the fly-half puts Italy within two points!