England's away-day blues - could they finally lose to Italy? England's recent struggles in the Six Nations have left them in a precarious position, with their title aspirations in jeopardy after a string of away defeats. The team, once a pre-tournament favorite, has faced mounting pressure following two heavy losses at Murrayfield and Twickenham. Now, with a crucial match against Italy in Rome, the question looms: can England finally succumb to a team they’ve never lost to before? The Six Nations trophy’s metaphorical "catching fire" after round three mirrors England’s fractured campaign. Their away record has deteriorated sharply, with four losses in five games—their worst five-match stretch in the tournament’s history. Since winning the title in 2020, England have managed just four road victories in 13 fixtures, while France and Ireland have dominated the away battles, securing 11 and six wins respectively. Italy, though unbeaten in Rome, have evolved into a formidable opponent, and their recent home win over Scotland signals a new threat. England’s attack has faltered in recent weeks, failing to click against Scotland and Ireland. Opta data reveals their struggles: they ranked second bottom for kicks in play and last for kick metres in the past two rounds. Turnovers and defensive lapses have compounded their woes, with 24 line-breaks conceded and 58% of those occurring in the 10m channels. Defenders have also struggled, with 30% of missed tackles coming wide, leaving them vulnerable to fast, wide attacks. Italy, meanwhile, have shown remarkable growth under coach Gonzalo Quesada. Their scrum has become a key weapon, with a 19% success rate against the opposition feed—the highest in the tournament.#england #six_nations #italy #gonzalo_quesada #tommaso_menoncello
