Italy vs England – Six Nations 2024: Red Rose looks to be off to a winning start

Welcome to Italy vs England

Italy welcome England to the Stadio Olimpico this afternoon as both sides look to kick-start their Six Nations campaigns.

Italy will be able to welcome Tommaso Menoncello back to the center position after he missed the entire World Cup season due to a biceps injury.

Brothers Alessandro and Paolo Garbisi will feature in the two halves, while the backline will include the experienced Tommaso Allan at full back, with Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane on either flank.

Simone Ferrari, Paolo Odogwu, Dino Lamb and Marco Riccioni have all been ruled out through injury, while Matteo Nocera, Luca Rizzoli and Mirco Spagnolo have been called up and will start on the bench.

Marcus Smith has been tipped to fill the shoes of Owen Farrell, who retired after the World Cup, but the Harlequins star has been ruled out of this match after picking up a calf injury during the pre-tournament training camp in Girona.

As a result, George Ford has been recalled to assume his duties.

Borthwick also named two debutants in his starting line-up for Saturday. Northampton's Fraser Dingwall will start in the middle, while Exeter flanker Ethan Roots will look to fill the gap left by Courtney Lawes.

Ollie Lawrence is out due to a hip injury and will be joined on the sidelines by a host of players including Manu Tuilagi, Tom Curry, George Martin and Anthony Watson.