Marlie Packer scored four tries as England extended their unbeaten run to 37 Tests with a 61–33 victory over Italy in Parma, though the hosts secured a record points total against the Red Roses and earned a valuable try bonus point.

Key moments

Pre-match – LATE CHANGE ENGLAND: Maddie Feaunati is ruled out with a leg injury. Abi Burton shifts to number eight with Haineala Lutui coming into the second row. Christiana Balogun is added to the bench. Helena Rowland leads England out to celebrate her 50th cap.

2 mins – HELD UP ENGLAND: Burton is held up over the Italian try line. Excellent early defence from Italy but England sense early points.

4 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Marlie Packer opens the scoring. Zoe Harrison sees the wide open right corner and dinks a smart cross-kick through for Packer to dive on. Harrison converts. (Italy 0–7 England)

6 mins – ERROR ITALY: The restart goes out on the full. Self-inflicted pressure from Italy hands England a scrum on halfway.

8 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Amy Cokayne rumbles over from a driving maul after England win back-to-back scrum penalties. Harrison converts. (Italy 0–14 England)

11 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Helena Rowland celebrates her 50th cap with a try. Ellie Kildunne uses her feet brilliantly on the left touchline to keep the ball in play before feeding Rowland who dots down. Harrison converts. (Italy 0–21 England)

14 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Bonus point inside 14 minutes. Mia Venner, making her first appearance of the tournament, picks a gap in the 13 channel and drives hard for the line. Harrison misses the conversion. (Italy 0–26 England)

16 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy strike back from a lineout. Hooker Vittoria Vecchini finishes a simple catch-and-drive drill for her third try of the tournament. Michela Sillari misses the conversion. (Italy 5–26 England)

19 mins – TRY ENGLAND: England respond immediately after Italy’s restart goes out on the full again. Cokayne crashes over for her second from another maul. Harrison converts. (Italy 5–33 England)

23 mins – ITALY PRESSURE: Italy win a penalty on England’s five-metre line after working the ball sensibly through the phases. Captain Elisa Giordano opts for a tap and go.

25 mins – PENALTY TRY ITALY + YELLOW CARD ENGLAND: Italy spread the ball towards the right corner where Kildunne slaps it forward with Aura Muzzo waiting with a clear run to the line. Penalty try awarded. Kildunne is shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. (Italy 12–33 England)

32 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Packer gets her second. Harrison cleverly takes her time over a penalty kick to the corner, eating up the sin-bin clock. From the lineout, Cokayne’s throw goes to the back and Packer takes two strides before diving over. Harrison converts. (Italy 12–40 England)

34 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy capitalise on England errors — Venner spills the restart and England engage early at the scrum. Silvia Turani spots a gap at the breakdown and bursts free. Alissa Ranuccini finishes under the posts for her first try of the championship. Sillari converts. (Italy 19–40 England)

38 mins – HIGH TACKLE ENGLAND: Packer is penalised for a high tackle. Sara Mannini sends the penalty to touch but Italy spill the lineout.

Half-time: Italy 19–40 England. Nine tries in a breathless opening 40 minutes. England secured the bonus point inside 14 minutes but Italy have shown real fight — their 19 points is the second-highest half-time score ever against England. The driving maul has been devastatingly effective with Cokayne and Packer causing chaos. Turani: “We didn’t start well but we had the power and ability to change it.”

48 mins – TRY ENGLAND: England utterly dominant at the scrum. Burton drops over from close range after the pack splinters Italy’s defence. Harrison converts. (Italy 19–47 England)

49 mins – ENGLAND CHANGES: Major rotation as Cokayne, Muir, Lutui and Lucy Packer depart. Powell, Bern, Robinson and debutant Haidee Head come on.

52 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Hat-trick for Packer! All the replacements are involved with fast hands from Bern and Powell. The ball reaches Packer on the right wing who spins around a defender before dropping over. Harrison converts from wide. (Italy 19–54 England)

53 mins – 50TH CAP COMPLETE: Rowland departs to applause — a try on her 50th appearance. Holly Aitchison replaces her.

55 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy earn a bonus point. Francesca Sgorbini, on since the 44th minute, picks and goes from the base of a ruck and bursts over. England have now conceded eight tries in two matches. Sillari converts. (Italy 26–54 England)

59 mins – TRY ENGLAND: Four tries for Packer! The veteran decides she’s had enough of waiting and puts the hammer down to rumble over from 12 metres, blasting through four defenders. Her best of the afternoon. Harrison converts. (Italy 26–61 England)

64 mins – INJURY ITALY: Silvia Turani hobbles off in tears with what looks like a leg injury. Uncapped Gaia Dosi comes on for her international debut.

63 mins – DEBUT ENGLAND: Christiana Balogun becomes England’s fifth debutant of the tournament, replacing Demelza Short.

69 mins – ITALY DEFENCE: Italy stand firm to withstand successive England drives before Head is penalised for being off her feet. Italy breathe a sigh of relief.

77 mins – ITALY ATTACK: Mannini breaks free from a weak tackle and Italy run it from their own 22 with offloads aplenty. They’re into the England half before imprecision loses the ball.

80 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy finish on a high with a record points total against England. Sgorbini muscles over from a textbook lineout maul for her second try. Sillari converts. (Italy 33–61 England)

Full-time: Italy 33–61 England

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D’Incà; 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Vittoria Zanette, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Alessandra Frangipani, 6 Beatrice Veronese, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c).
Replacements: 16 Chiara Cheli, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Gaia Dosi, 19 Giordana Duca, 20 Francesca Sgorbini, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Emma Stevanin, 23 Francesca Granzotto.

England: 15 Emma Sing, 14 Mia Venner, 13 Meg Jones (c), 12 Helena Rowland, 11 Ellie Kildunne; 10 Zoe Harrison, 9 Lucy Packer; 1 Kelsey Clifford, 2 Amy Cokayne, 3 Maud Muir, 4 Haineala Lutui, 5 Delaney Burns, 6 Demelza Short, 7 Marlie Packer, 8 Abi Burton.
Replacements: 16 Connie Powell, 17 Mackenzie Carson, 18 Sarah Bern, 19 Christiana Balogun, 20 Haidee Head, 21 Flo Robinson, 22 Holly Aitchison, 23 Claudia Moloney-MacDonald.

Match details

Italy 33 (Tries: Vecchini, Penalty try, Ranuccini, Sgorbini 2; Conversions: Sillari 3/4)
England 61 (Tries: M Packer 4, Cokayne 2, Rowland, Venner, Burton; Conversions: Harrison 8/9)
Half-time: 19–40

Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Attendance: 4,376
Referee: Jessica Ling (Australia)

Player of the match: Marlie Packer (England)

Helena Rowland will earn her 50th Test cap when the Red Roses travel to Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi to face Italy in Round 4 of the 2026 Guinness Women’s Six Nations on Saturday afternoon, with John Mitchell making two changes to his backline and naming uncapped Trailfinders forward Haidee Head among the replacements.

Key team news:

• Helena Rowland set for her 50th England Test cap, having debuted at the same Parma stadium in November 2020.
• Haidee Head, the Australian-born U21 international who qualifies through her mother, in line for a debut off the bench.
• Gloucester-Hartpury duo Emma Sing and Mia Venner come into the back three.
• Ellie Kildunne shifts to the wing, with Megan Jones continuing as captain.
• Two changes in the backline from the Triple Crown-clinching 62-24 win over Wales.

Rowland, who has accumulated 186 points for her country, lines up at inside centre. Sing comes in at full-back and Venner is on the right wing, with Kildunne — the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year — switching to the left flank. Captain Megan Jones continues at outside centre. Zoe Harrison and Lucy Packer retain the half-back roles.

The pack shows further changes from Bristol. Kelsey Clifford and Maud Muir are the props either side of Amy Cokayne, who is one match away from joining England’s exclusive 100-cap club. Abi Burton and Delaney Burns continue in the second row. The back row sees Demelza Short start at blindside alongside Marlie Packer and Maddie Feaunati.

Mitchell said the focus this week was on a reset and on intent. “This week is about re-establishing our processes and sharpening our focus now that we have new purpose,” the head coach said. “We’ve built momentum throughout this tournament by stacking strong moments together.”

On the opposition, Mitchell warned of an emboldened Italy side. “Italy will be full of confidence after their result against Scotland, and they’ll challenge us in different ways,” he said. “Ultimately, it always comes down to showing courage in the moments that matter.”

Injuries continue to bite. Lilli Ives Campion and Sadia Kabeya remain in rehabilitation in camp, while Alex Matthews has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament after sustaining a shoulder injury that requires surgery. Sarah Bern returns among the replacements alongside Connie Powell, Mackenzie Carson, Haineala Lutui, Head, Flo Robinson, Holly Aitchison and Claudia Moloney-MacDonald.

England arrive in Parma on a 25-match winning run in the championship and unbeaten across the tournament since 2018. They have never lost to Italy across 26 meetings, but Roselli’s side will draw confidence from a 41-14 dismantling of Scotland in Round 3 — at this same Lanfranchi venue.

England:
15. Emma Sing (Gloucester-Hartpury, 15 caps)
14. Mia Venner (Gloucester-Hartpury, 3)
13. Megan Jones (Trailfinders Women, 36) — captain
12. Helena Rowland (Loughborough Lightning, 49)
11. Ellie Kildunne (Harlequins Women, 60)
10. Zoe Harrison (Saracens Women, 68)
9. Lucy Packer (Harlequins Women, 42)
1. Kelsey Clifford (Saracens Women, 24)
2. Amy Cokayne (Sale Sharks Women, 92)
3. Maud Muir (Gloucester-Hartpury, 51)
4. Abi Burton (Trailfinders Women, 7)
5. Delaney Burns (Bristol Bears Women, 4)
6. Demelza Short (Bristol Bears Women, 2)
7. Marlie Packer (Saracens Women, 114)
8. Maddie Feaunati (Exeter Chiefs Women, 26)

Replacements:
16. Connie Powell (Harlequins Women, 22)
17. Mackenzie Carson (Gloucester-Hartpury, 27)
18. Sarah Bern (Bristol Bears Women, 82)
19. Haineala Lutui (Loughborough Lightning, 3)
20. Haidee Head (Trailfinders Women, 0)
21. Flo Robinson (Exeter Chiefs Women, 3)
22. Holly Aitchison (Sale Sharks Women, 47)
23. Claudia Moloney-MacDonald (Exeter Chiefs Women, 38)

Match details: Italy v England, Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma. Saturday 9 May, 14:00 CEST / 13:00 BST. Live on BBC.

Italy produced a dominant seven-try display to crush Scotland 41–14 in Parma, securing their first Six Nations victory since beating Wales in April 2024 and moving into third place in the championship table.

Key moments

Pre-match – LATE BLOW SCOTLAND: Captain Rachel Malcolm is ruled out shortly before kick-off through injury. Alex Stewart goes in at openside with Rachel McLachlan shifting to number eight. Lana Skeldon takes over the captaincy. A significant blow for Scotland.

3 mins – EARLY PRESSURE ITALY: Prop Vittoria Zanette’s rampaging run pushes Scotland back into their own 22. Italy look energised from the start.

6 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy move it to the right through four pairs of hands until Alyssa D’Incà receives it in space. The winger has just enough room to touch down inside the corner flag. Sublime stuff from the hosts. Michela Sillari misses the conversion. (Italy 5–0 Scotland)

14 mins – TRY ITALY: Zanette scores on her first start. Italy kick to touch, rumble from the lineout, and when scrum-half Sofia Stefan is stopped short, Zanette follows up and crashes over. The conversion is missed after Veronica Madia runs out of time before the shot clock expires. (Italy 10–0 Scotland)

22 mins – SCOTLAND PRESSURE: Scotland finally get into the Italian half. Helen Nelson breaks free but Chloe Rollie’s clearance only just reaches beyond the 22. Italy regain control.

29 mins – TRY ITALY: Zanette secures her brace with another powerful finish. Stefan, Madia and D’Incà exchange passes in a rapier-like attack down the right flank to within metres of the Scottish line. Zanette smashes over from close range. Sillari misses the conversion. (Italy 15–0 Scotland)

33 mins – TRY ITALY: D’Incà gets her double. Stefan slices through the Scottish defence before a wonderful skip pass from Madia finds D’Incà, who races into the corner. Sillari converts. (Italy 22–0 Scotland)

39 mins – TRY ITALY: Bonus point secured before half-time. Off the top of the lineout, Italy move it right before Madia’s no-look inside pass pops into the path of Aura Muzzo, who glides over under the posts. Sillari converts. (Italy 29–0 Scotland)

Half-time: Italy 29–0 Scotland. A half to forget for Scotland. Italy have been lethal, capitalising on every opportunity with their set-piece and determination in defence making Scotland look average at times. The loss of captain Malcolm before kick-off appears to have knocked Scottish confidence. Danielle Waterman: “Italy made Scotland look average — they capitalised on every opportunity.”

43 mins – TRY ITALY: Italy continue from where they left off. Lock Giordana Duca makes a line break before the maul marches over with hooker Vittoria Vecchini touching down. Sillari misses the conversion. (Italy 34–0 Scotland)

47 mins – LINE BREAK ITALY: Muzzo bursts through the Scottish defence but Italy are penalised moments later.

48 mins – YELLOW CARD ITALY: Veronica Madia is sin-binned for foul play after a high tackle on Francesca McGhie who had broken through the defensive line. Italy down to 14. (Italy 34–0 Scotland)

49 mins – YELLOW CARD ITALY: Captain Elisa Giordano is also shown a yellow card for foul play. Italy now down to 13 players. (Italy 34–0 Scotland)

52 mins – TRY SCOTLAND: Scotland finally get on the board with a 13-player advantage. The maul barges over from a lineout and hooker Lana Skeldon touches down. Nelson converts. (Italy 34–7 Scotland)

57 mins – 50 CAPS ITALY: Silvia Turani is replaced having celebrated her 50th cap for Italy. A proud moment for the loosehead prop who was named Player of the Match.

59 mins – TRY ITALY: Back to 14 players, Italy extend their lead. Lock Giordana Duca gets on the end of a flowing move to score Italy’s sixth try. Sillari converts. (Italy 41–7 Scotland)

68 mins – LINE BREAK SCOTLAND: Francesca McGhie breaks through the Italian defence. Scotland are building some late momentum.

71 mins – HIA SCOTLAND: Emma Wassell goes off for a head injury assessment after taking a knock to the throat. The mouthguard system alerted the medical team.

73 mins – TRY SCOTLAND: What a score from replacement prop Molly Poolman! The ball is moved to the right before Poolman feints left, sells an outrageous dummy and hammers over the line after an unstoppable run. Nelson converts. (Italy 41–14 Scotland)

78 mins – YELLOW CARD ITALY: Sara Mannini is sin-binned after a head-on-head clash with Rachel Phillips. It will be reviewed for a possible upgrade. Italy’s third yellow of the match.

79 mins – TRY DISALLOWED SCOTLAND: Skeldon appears to have bundled over near the corner flag but the on-field call is held up. TMO review finds not enough evidence to overturn. No try.

Full-time: Italy 41–14 Scotland

Full match report to follow.

Teams

Italy: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi, 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D’Incà; 10 Veronica Madia, 9 Sofia Stefan; 1 Silvia Turani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 3 Vittoria Zanette, 4 Valeria Fedrighi, 5 Giordana Duca, 6 Francesca Sgorbini, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 8 Elisa Giordano (c).
Replacements: 16 Chiara Cheli, 17 Gaia Maris, 18 Alessia Pilani, 19 Alessandra Frangipani, 20 Margherita Tonellotto, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Emma Stevanin, 23 Francesca Granzotto.

Scotland: 15 Chloe Rollie, 14 Francesca McGhie, 13 Lucia Scott, 12 Meryl Smith, 11 Shona Campbell; 10 Helen Nelson, 9 Leia Brebner-Holden; 1 Demi Swann, 2 Lana Skeldon (c), 3 Elliann Clarke, 4 Emma Wassell, 5 Hollie Cunningham, 6 Eva Donaldson, 7 Alex Stewart, 8 Rachel McLachlan.
Replacements: 16 Elis Martin, 17 Leah Bartlett, 18 Molly Poolman, 19 Holland Bogan, 20 Louise McMillan, 21 Becky Boyd, 22 Rianna Darroch, 23 Rachel Phillips.

Match details

Italy 41 (Tries: D’Incà 2, Zanette 2, Muzzo, Vecchini, Duca; Conversions: Sillari 3/7)
Scotland 14 (Tries: Skeldon, Poolman; Conversions: Nelson 2/2)
Half-time: 29–0

Venue: Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi, Parma
Referee: Robbie Jenkinson (England)

Player of the match: Silvia Turani (Italy)