'Can Italy end their record?' - Every team that has NEVER beaten England at senior men's level

Italy come into this match in good form, hoping to bring an end to their wait to their wait for a senior men's international victory over England. Gonzalo Quesada's side stunned Scotland for an opening round win in Rome, before taking Ireland to their very limit for a narrow defeat in week two. The Azzurri were outdone by a frightening French side for their third round loss, with the latest fallow week providing a golden opportunity to get back up to speed in time to host England in the Eternal City.

Italy are one of a total 11 sides that have never beaten England on the international men's stage, and in this article take a look back on every side yet to secure a victory over the inventors of the game.

The winds of change are in the air, and the Azzurri will want nothing more than to capitalise upon a down-trodden England team this Saturday. Steve Borthwick's side arrive in Rome off the back of a well-timed fallow week, as Italy line up a historic first ever win over their opponents having come close throughout recent meetings.

England first faced Italy on October 8th 1991, with the hosts at Twickenham racking up the win in the pool stages of the 1991 Rugby World Cup. The 36-6 triumph was the first of 31 wins on the bounce, which has stretched throughout the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and every iteration of the Six Nations Championship since Italy were added to expand the Five Nations in 2000.

The heaviest ever win saw England hammer Italy with an 80-23 pumping in the 2001 Six Nations, however next weekend's incoming match is set to be a far closer encounter. Quesada's side have enjoyed a resurgence of Six Nations form with consistent wins over Wales, and are by no means the tournament's guaranteed wooden spoon holders with their seven year run of losses now firmly in the rear-view mirror. After the closest ever Anglo-Italian clash saw a narrow saw a 27-24 England win in 2024, Italy have all the right to shock the world by defeating England for the first time.

England's best run of form against a Pacific Island nation, is their nine-match winning streak against Samoa. England also have a solid record against Tonga (more on that shortly), yet they are no longer able to hold up the score-card for an undefeated run against Fiji, following the 2023 Summer upset at the Allianz Stadium.

England first took on Samoa at the 1995 Rugby World Cup with the hard-hitting Pacific Islanders succumbing to a 44-22 pool stage defeat in Durban, South Africa. Will Carling made a milestone appearance in this fixture, as the England legend achieved his 50th England cap in this fixture. The most recent fixture between England and Samoa was at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, in what was a narrow 18-17 win for Steve Borthwick's side.

Canada’s first encounter with England in international rugby came on the 1967 England tour of Canada, with the tourists achieving a 29-0 landslide win. Then, during the 1991 Rugby World Cup, Canada sustained a 19-0 defeat on the global stage. Despite their best defensive efforts, they struggled to break through England’s well-organized backline.

Over the years, Canada’s inability to match England’s depth and power has led to a series of lopsided results, with their most recent match in 2021 ended in a 70-14 rout at Twickenham. England’s superior set-piece execution and clinical finishing have consistently exposed Canada’s defensive frailties.

Despite never beating England, Canada has had moments of resilience in their clashes. England's 2001 tour of Canada and the US, England pushed harder than expected, keeping the score close for much of the game, before ultimately losing 22-10. Historically, Canada has produced a number of standout players, such as Gareth Rees and Jamie Cudmore, who have competed at the highest levels in Europe.

However, the decline of Canadian domestic rugby, particularly the financial struggles of the national program, has widened the gap between them and tier-one nations like England.

The United States and England first met on the American's 1977 tour of the UK, as the hosts achieved a 37-11 win over the tourists. Over the decades, England’s dominance has remained unchallenged, winning all seven encounters by convincing margins. One of the most significant meetings between the two came in 2019 during the Rugby World Cup in Japan, where England dismantled the U.S. 45-7 in a rain-soaked match.

While the U.S. has yet to defeat England, there have been flashes of potential in their performances. In their 2021 match at Twickenham, the Eagles managed to score four tries despite losing 43-29, showcasing an attacking flair that had been lacking in previous encounters. The latest meeting between the two sides took place this past Summer, as a new era of England talents took on the stars and stripes whilst the top established internationals embarked upon the Lions tour. England bagged a 40-5 win at Audi Field, to extend their dominance to eight wins in a row.

With Major League Rugby (MLR) providing a professional pathway for domestic players, and the United States set to host the 2031 Rugby World Cup, there is renewed optimism that the gap between the US and top-tier teams like England could narrow in the coming years.

England’s first test match against Japan came in 1971, when they embarked on a tour of Asia. The game in Tokyo ended in a dominant 60-19 victory for the visitors, marking the beginning of a one-sided rivalry. The 1987 and 1991 Rugby World Cups saw England inflict further heavy defeats on the Brave Blossoms, including a 60-7 thrashing in Sydney. Even in more recent years, England has maintained control, with a 35-15 win in 2018 and a 52-13 victory in 2023.

The latest meeting saw England hand a 59-14 defeat to Eddie Jones' Japan, with the former England head coach having a miserable return to Twickenham last November. Despite never beating England, Japan’s evolution into a formidable rugby nation has made their performances more competitive. Their historic victory over South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup and their quarter-final finish in 2019 have established them as a genuine force in world rugby. While they have struggled to impose their rapid, high-tempo style on England’s structured game, continued development in Japan’s domestic leagues could lead to closer contests in the future.

Romania’s rugby history boasts a proud legacy, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, when they were regarded as one of Europe’s strongest second-tier teams. However, their five meetings with England have all ended in defeat. Their first clash came upon Romania's tour of England in 1985, with a 22-15 loss that was remarkably close given the disparity in resources between the two sides. In subsequent decades, England’s professional era saw them pull further ahead, culminating in a record 134-0 victory over Romania in 2001, the heaviest defeat in Romanian rugby history.

Despite these struggles, Romania has maintained a passionate rugby culture, with legendary players like Florică Murariu and Haralambie Dumitraș leading the team's back row through its golden era. However, financial difficulties and political instability following the fall of communism severely impacted Romanian rugby. While their performances against England have remained one-sided, their continued participation in World Cups and the Rugby Europe Championship suggests that they remain a competitive presence in the second tier of international rugby.

Tonga’s encounters with England have often highlighted the contrast between their raw physicality and England’s structured discipline. As England refined their tactical approach, their dominance grew, evident in the 101-10 demolition at Twickenham in 1999. In their latest encounter in 2021, England stormed to a 69-3 victory, showcasing their clinical finishing and superior fitness levels.

Tonga’s lack of success against England is largely due to systemic challenges rather than a lack of talent. The Pacific Island nation has produced world-class players such as Jonah Lomu (who was of Tongan descent), and many of whom have starred in top European leagues.

However, limited financial resources and a talent drain to tier-one titan New Zealand, has prevented Tonga from reaching its full potential. Recent eligibility rule changes allowing former international players to return to their home nations, such as Malakai Fekitoa Charles Piutau, Vaea Fifita and Augustine Pulu could strengthen Tonga for future clashes against England.

Georgia’s rise in European rugby has been impressive, but their three meetings with England have underscored the challenge of competing against a well-resourced powerhouse. Their first match came in the 2003 Rugby World Cup, where England, on their way to winning the tournament, secured an easy 84-6 win. The 2011 World Cup saw Georgia offer more resistance, but they still fell 41-10. Their latest encounter in 2020, part of the Autumn Nations Cup, ended in a 40-0 defeat, with England’s forward dominance neutralizing Georgia’s traditional strength in the scrum, as Jamie George became the first England hooker to score four tries in one match.

Despite their struggles against England, Georgia has become one of the most dominant second-tier teams in the world. Their pack, known for its scrummaging power, has troubled many tier-one teams, and recent victories over Italy and Wales have fueled calls for their inclusion in the Six Nations. While they have yet to challenge England meaningfully, continued development of their backline play could make future contests more competitive.

Uruguay’s two meetings with England, both at Rugby World Cups, have resulted in heavy defeats. Their first encounter in 2003 ended in a 111-13 loss, one of England’s biggest-ever wins, as the eventual world champions ran riot with 17 tries. The 2015 rematch on English soil saw a more determined Uruguayan performance, but England still secured a comfortable 60-3. England's RWC campaign was already over, as Stuart Lancaster's side became the first host nation to be eliminated from the pool stages of the tournament.

Uruguayan rugby has made significant strides in recent years, with their stunning 30-27 upset over Fiji in the 2019 World Cup highlighting their progress. Domestically, the creation of the Súper Liga Americana de Rugby (SLAR) has provided a professional pathway for players, strengthening the national team. While they remain some distance from beating England, their upward trajectory suggests that future encounters could be far less one-sided.

Chile’s only encounter with England came in the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a match that ended in a 71-0 shutout for the English. Henry Arundell shone in the match, as the soon to be Bath wing raced away for five Rugby World Cup tries. Despite Chile’s enthusiasm and commitment, they were unable to contain England’s structured attack, conceding 11 tries. England’s superior fitness, set-piece execution, and depth off the bench overwhelmed Chile, who struggled to gain a foothold in the match.

Despite the heavy defeat, Chile’s qualification for the 2023 World Cup marked a milestone for South American rugby. Their victory over the United States in the qualification process was a historic moment, demonstrating the growth of rugby in the region. With increasing investment in grassroots rugby and professional development, Chilean rugby may continue to improve, and while an upset against England remains a distant dream, future encounters could be more competitive.

England and the Netherlands have met only once in international men's rugby, with England securing a dominant 110-0 victory in 1998. The match, played in Amsterdam as part of the qualification process for the 1999 Rugby World Cup, remains England’s only test against the Dutch national team. England, boasting a squad filled with seasoned professionals, overpowered the Netherlands from the outset, scoring 16 tries in a ruthless display of attacking rugby. The English pack controlled the set-pieces, while the backs capitalized on defensive gaps, turning the match into one of England’s most lopsided wins in history.

For the Netherlands, the match served as a stark reminder of the gap between emerging rugby nations and established tier-one teams. Although the Dutch have not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, their domestic rugby scene has steadily grown, with the national team improving in the Rugby Europe Championship, the second tier of European competition. In recent years, increased investment in youth development and an influx of Dutch players into professional leagues across Europe have strengthened their squad. While a rematch with England remains unlikely in the near future, the Netherlands’ continued progress could see them become more competitive on the international stage.