🗓️ Date: Saturday 7 March 2026

🕓 Kick-off: 16:40 GMT

🏟️ Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome

📺 Broadcast: ITV (more TV info here)

🎟️ Tickets: Via FIR

🇮🇹 Italy’s big occasion

Italy return to the Stadio Olimpico for their penultimate fixture of the 2026 Championship, facing an England side they’ve never beaten in Six Nations history. But under Gonzalo Quesada, the Azzurri have shown signs of transformation - combining flair with structure and forward firepower.

This fixture has become one of Italy’s biggest targets. With a passionate home crowd behind them and a squad full of emerging talent and some world-class backline talent in players like Ange Capuozzo and Tommaso Menoncello, they’ll be desperate to make history and turn brave performances into points.

🌹 England’s Roman challenge

England arrive in Rome with momentum and a point to prove. After finishing second in 2025 - their best result in six years - Steve Borthwick’s men are chasing consistency and silverware.

Trips to Rome are no longer the walkovers they once were. Italy’s attacking ambition and defensive grit have troubled top sides in recent seasons. England will need to be clinical and composed to avoid a potential upset.

🔍 Key storylines

• Can Italy break the streak? England have won all 30 previous Six Nations meetings.

• Tommaso Menoncello and Danilo Fischetti are Italy’s fantasy rugby standouts, combining physicality with flair.

• England’s Fin Smith continues to grow into the fly-half role, offering tactical control and attacking spark.

📊 Recent form

• Italy: One win in 2025 Championship, but aiming to convert performances into results.

• England: Strong finish in last year's tournament; unbeaten in Rome since the Championship began.

🙏 What to expect

• A raucous Roman crowd and a fired-up Italy side.

• England’s forward power and tactical discipline tested by Italy’s expansive style.

• A fixture that could shape the final weekend’s title race.