ENGLAND VS ITALY
Saturday 12th February
15:00
England are set to play Italy at Twickenham in the second of the Guinness Six Nations fixtures. Attending the match? Use our handy guide to help plan your journey.
Twickenham is a cashless venue. We advise you to arrive at least 90 minutes before kick off to avoid queues at turnstiles and bars.
KEY TIMINGS
09:30 - England Rugby Store opens
10:00 - World Rugby Museum opens - book a museum and drink package here
11:00 - Ticket Office opens
11:30 - Turnstiles, hospitality facilities and British Airways Fan Village open
13:30 - All seating bowl open
15:00 - World Rugby Museum closes
15:00 - Kick off
15:40 (approx) James Haskell DJ set
15:40 (approx) - Ticket Office closes
16:35 (approx) - Full time
Meeting friends or family at Twickenham? We are now using what3words to help you find precise locations at the venue.
PARKING AND TAXIS
If you are planning to get to Twickenham by car please note that a controlled parking zone operates over an area of approximately one mile around the stadium. Fines and towing are enforced in this area, including Sundays. Road closures will be in place 2 hours prior to the match and 2-3 hours post match.
Following the match, private hire mini cabs can be collected from Twickenham Stoop (Harlequins rugby ground) opposite the stadium along the A316.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
Fans are encouraged to allow extra time for their journey to the stadium. To ensure people arrive at their seats for kick-off we recommend they aim to arrive at least 90 minutes before, especially if entering via the British Airways Fan Village through Gate A.
Trains
South Western Railway will be operating an enhanced service.
Please check the South Western Railway website before you travel.
Shuttle Bus
There is an RFU electric shuttle bus service between Richmond station (District Line and London Overground North London line) and the stadium and Hounslow East station (Piccadilly Line) and the stadium, which runs three hours pre-kick off and three hours post final whistle.
Please check the Transport For London website before you travel.
Prior to kick-off: £3 per person
All post-match journeys: Free of charge
Pre-match the services run from the A316 Pools in the Park in Richmond and Hounslow East station, Kingsley Road in Hounslow. Post-match the Richmond service departs from Rugby Road adjacent to the stadium and the Hounslow service departs from Whitton Dene to the north of the stadium.
Bicycle Racks
Bike racks are available to use in the South East corner of the stadium by the ticket office.
We look forward to seeing you at the match
MATCH REPORT
England beaten by Scotland in Six Nations opener
Despite tries from Max Malins (2), Ellis Genge and eight points from the boot of Owen Farrell, England were unable to topple an inspired Scotland side, who retained the Calcutta Cup and continued their fine recent form at Twickenham.
The opening exchanges were tentative as both sides battled for territory, sending probing kicks back-and-forth with little action, but it was Scotland - having not lost at Twickenham since 2017 - who scored the game's first try on 15 minutes, as Sione Tuipulotu threaded a well-weighted kick over England's whitewash for centre partner Huw Jones to pounce on. Finn Russell's extras made it 0-7.
England struck back eight minutes later after a period of sustained pressure, totalling 14 phases close to the opposition line, that saw strong carries from the likes of Maro Itoje and Ellis Genge cause Scottish defenders to get sucked into the ruck area. Spotting space out wide, Marcus Smith received quick ball and opted for a cross field kick into the path of the onrushing Malins, who fell on the ball to score his first Test try. Farrell missed the extras.
A moment of magic from Duhan van der Merwe on the 30-minute mark saw the winger slice through England's defence from 55 metres and score the Scots' second. Russell missed the easiest of conversions, and although a seven point lead was restored, it was to be short lived.
Spurred on by a buoyant Twickenham crowd England calmly worked their way back into the opposition half - with Harlequins' Alex Dombrandt leading the charge - and the hosts' second try shortly followed. Quick passing and smart running lines saw the ball moved through the hands of Ollie Chessum, Ellis Genge, Farrell and Lewis Ludlam, before the flanker straightened his line to square up Stuart Hogg, and send Malins over for another.
Though Farrell missed the conversion, he slotted a penalty on the stroke of half time to give his side a 13-12 lead. The stats at the break showed a competitive match: Scotland beating more defenders and making more clean breaks, with Borthwick's charges boasting more possession (58%), metres made (326) and carries (95).
STATS
England started the second half brightly, Genge powering over from close range eight minutes into the resumption with Farrell's extras making it 20-12, but London Irish scrum half Ben White scampered over just moments later on 50 minutes to cut the deficit back to one point.
Dan Cole entered the match on the hour mark to earn his 96th Test cap - having last played for England in 2019 - and he made an immediate impact by winning a scrum penalty that allowed England to relieve territorial pressure.
Farrell and Russell traded another pair of penalties in the final quarter, making it 23-22, as Anthony Watson replaced debutant Ollie Hassell-Collins.
A second van der Merwe try with six minutes remaining in the match handed the visitors a six point lead, and despite a last ditch effort deep in opposition territory, England were turned over and Scotland pumped the ball into touch to confirm a famous win.
Line-ups
England
Starting
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Max Malins, 13. Joe Marchant, 12. Owen Farrell (C), 11. Ollie Hassell-Collins, 10. Marcus Smith, 9. Jack van Poortvliet, 1. Ellis Genge (VC), 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Ollie Chessum, 6. Lewis Ludlam, 7. Ben Curry, 8. Alex Dombrandt.
Replacements
16. Jack Walker, 17. Mako Vunipola, 18. Dan Cole, 19. Nick Isiekwe, 20. Ben Earl, 21. Ben Youngs, 22. Ollie Lawrence, 23. Anthony Watson.
Scotland
Starting
15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben White, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. WP Nel, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie (C), 7. Luke Crosbie, 8. Matt Fagerson.
Replacements
16. Fraser Brown, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. Simon Berghan, 19. Jonny Gray, 20. Jack Dempsey, 21. George Horne, 22. Blaire Kinghorn, 23. Chris Harris.
Built with Shorthand