Matt Dawson 'disappointed' with England, fires shots at Marcus Smith after Italy clash
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England are primed to take advantage of any last-day drama in the Six Nations title race after smashing Italy with a seven-try rout at Allianz Stadium.
Find your local Greene King pub and settle in for the 2025 Six Nations!
Steve Borthwick's men surged into second place, sitting just one point behind leaders France ahead of a blockbuster 'Super Saturday' showdown. England face Wales in Cardiff at 16:45 GMT on 15 March, while France host Scotland later that evening.
With an 82-point gap in points difference, England need a miracle scoreline at the Principality Stadium—otherwise, any kind of French win will seal the title for Les Bleus.
Matt Dawson lets rip at England’s second-half fade
Despite England's commanding victory, 2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson wasn't impressed with how they finished the game.
“I've been disappointed that England haven't been able to maintain the level of that good stuff we've seen,” Dawson fumed on BBC 5 Live. “There have been plenty of moments where they had all the forward momentum, yet they somehow slowed their own ball down.”
He didn't stop there. Dawson expected England to put their foot down after 50 minutes, but instead, he saw the opposite.
“They were in complete control up until 50-55 minutes,” he added. “I was expecting them to put the afterburners on—but instead, they pulled the handbrake.”
Dawson blasts Marcus Smith and Maro Itoje
The England legend had some choice words for Marcus Smith, accusing the Harlequins playmaker of “trying too hard” when he replaced Ollie Lawrence early on.
And when Maro Itoje botched a golden opportunity at 7-7—attempting to power over from close range only to be repelled by the Italian defence—Dawson didn't hold back.
“If England were playing Ireland or France, there is no chance Maro Itoje tries to dive over the top of a ruck to score,” he said. “That was an NFL quarterback sneak play. That is not a ruthless mentality like the French.”
Itoje: England will push France all the way
Post-match, Itoje admitted England needed to be more clinical but insisted they would fight until the final whistle in next Saturday's title showdown.
“We know we have to be better,” the England skipper said. “But we showed more aggression and intent than in previous games. We'll push France all the way.”
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- Statement: THREE Ireland players cited following France defeat
- Five players Ireland must drop after France defeat – who should replace them
Three players Borthwick must change despite smashing Italy – who should replace them
Here are three changes England must make for their final Six Nations clash.
#1. Ellis Genge
Planet Rugby: “Again, didn't get to do much scrummaging but on the whole was fine. Carried hard when given the chance and got about in defence.”
Telegraph: “Probably his quietest performance of the Championship so far. Won an early scrum penalty but then got pinged for sealing off right in front of the posts.”
Mail Online: Warned for protesting with referee in the first half after being penalised for sealing off. Added a couple of trademark carries in attack.
Evening Standard: “Warned by the referee for his reaction to giving away a contentious late first-half penalty as he had too much to say for himself. Not his best day otherwise but useful in the loose.”
Replacement: Fin Baxter
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