Marcus Smith shines as England win comfortably in Italy
ITALY: (0) 0
ENGLAND: (21) 33
Tries: Smith, George 2, Daly, Sinckler; Cons: Smith 4
Marcus Smith once again shone in an England shirt as Eddie Jones' side got their Six Nations campaign back on track to claim a bonus-point victory over Italy in Rome.
Star man Smith crossed within 10 minutes after a neat one-two with Max Malins. The Harlequins fly half has scored two tries in his first two Six Nations appearances.
Recalled hooker Jamie George crossed twice in the first half to give England a 0-21 lead at the break.
The one negative from the first half was Jack Nowell's failing a Head Injury Assessment after a blow to the head – ruling him out for the rest of the game.
After the break, Elliot Daly secured the bonus-point after a great pass from Marcus Smith allowed Daly to cross in the corner.
Harry Randall impressed in his third international game as the 8-10 axis of Alex Dombrandt, Randall and Smith showcased their talents to give all England fans a reason to be optimistic for the future.
Ben Youngs replaced Randall to become England Men's joint top appearance holder, levelling the 114 caps made by Jason Leonard.
In Randall's absence the visitors' speed and intensity dropped. England's impressive performance somewhat spluttered towards the end with the exception of two late moves. Jones will know that they will be punished for a sloppy last quarter against better opposition.
Smith – with George Ford now next to him at inside centre – sent Malins through a gap and Sinckler was on the wing's shoulder to score under the posts.
The Harlequins playmaker's impressive step nearly set up another, but Slade could not ground the ball with the score finishing 0-33.
Despite losing their opener in Scotland, Eddie Jones' side is now second in the table behind unbeaten France after two rounds.
After two games on the road, England will play back to back home games against Wales and Ireland before a final day visit to Paris to play France.
Italy: Padovani; Mori, Brex, Zanon, Ioane; Garbisi, Varney; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli; Cannone, Ruzza; Steyn; Lamaro (capt), Halafihi.
Replacements: Faiva, Traore, Pasquali, Sisi, Negri, Pettinelli, Fusco, Marin.
England: Steward; Malins, Marchant, Slade, Nowell; Smith, Randall; Genge, George, Stuart, Ewels, Isiekwe, Itoje, Curry (capt), Dombrandt.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Marler, Sinckler, Chessum, Simmonds, Youngs, Ford, Daly
