Check out how to watch Italy v England in a Six Nations 2024 match, including TV details and more. <\/p>
England kick off their tournament with a trip to face Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Italy are far from the guaranteed win they once were, but Steve Borthwick will still be expected to pick up a bonus point victory in Rome on Saturday, even with his team missing both Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell.<\/p>\n
The absence of 24-year-old Smith means Borthwick will have to call on the experience of George Ford, and looks set to hand a debut to Northampton youngster Fin Smith.<\/p>\n
Italy, despite winning just one of their past 42 Six Nations matches, are improving more and more each year. They lost all five matches last time out, but by an average of 12 points \u2013 their best since 2009.<\/p>\n
Under the helm of new coach Gonzalo Quesada, the likes of Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Garbisi and Tommaso Menoncello should come further into their own.<\/p>\n
They may find themselves on the winning side sooner rather than later, but that\u2019s unlikely to be against England.<\/p>\n