| Italy: (17) 24 |
| Tries: A Garbisi, Allan, Ioane Con: Allan 2, P Garbisi Pen: Allan |
| England: (14) 27 |
| Tries: Daly, Mitchell Con: Ford Pen: Ford 5 |
England dominated the second half to come from behind and launch their Six Nations campaign with victory in Italy.
Alex Mitchell’s try after the interval overturned a narrow deficit before George Ford’s boot edged England clear.
The Azzurri had threatened a first win over England as Alessandro Garbisi and Tommaso Allan scored either side of an Elliot Daly finish for the visitors.
Monty Ioane scored a late consolation and earned a losing bonus point in Italy’s smallest defeat by England.
Steve Borthwick’s England were far from their fluent best but victory in Rome puts them second in the table and ends a run of four Six Nations opening-game defeats.
Jamie George captained the side for the first time while head coach Borthwick also handed out five England debuts for the first time since seven players won their first cap against Scotland in 2012.
Fraser Dingwall and Ethan Roots, who claimed the man-of-the-match award, impressed from the start before Fin Smith, Chandler Cunningham-South and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso began their Test careers from the bench.
England host Wales in round two at Twickenham next Saturday, while the Azzurri travel to defending champions Ireland the following afternoon.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Italy: Allan; Pani, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane; P Garbisi, A Garbisi; Fischetti, Lucchesi, Ceccarelli, N Cannone, Ruzza, Negri, Lamaro (capt), L Cannone.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Zilocchi, Zambonin, Izekor, Zuliani, Varney, Mori
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: Dan, Obano, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso