"Unforgivable" - England fans turn on 100 cap star after Italy defeat

Saturday, 07 March 2026 at 18:53

byRugby Rucker

Maro Itoje’s yellow card proved the turning point as England suffered a historic defeat to Italy in Rome, with Gonzalo Quesada’s side claiming a famous victory at the Stadio Olimpico.

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Italy produced one of their most impressive performances in recent years, eventually sealing the result late on through a decisive try from Leonardo Marin. The win marked a landmark moment for Italian rugby and a bitter afternoon for England.

The key moment arrived when England captain Itoje was shown a yellow card after conceding a penalty at a crucial stage of the match. With Sam Underhill already in the sin bin, England were reduced to 13 players, leaving their defence badly exposed and shifting the momentum firmly in Italy’s favour.

Fans quickly turned on the England skipper, with many taking to social media to vent their frustration.

Former England centre Austin Healey was among the first to react, posting on X: “Sorry that’s unforgivable from your captain.”

Supporters were equally critical of the moment that left England two men down.

One fan wrote: “Maro Itoje conceded a silly penalty and got a yellow which made England play with 13 players as Sam Underhill was already in the sin bin.”

Another supporter aimed criticism at the wider leadership setup, writing: “Steve Borthwick and Maro Itoje need to tender their registrations. We're worse than Wales.”

Others questioned Itoje’s role as captain altogether.

“Maro Itoje should never captain England again,” one fan posted.

Another added: “Maro Itoje is a poor man’s version of Siya Kolisi.”

Some supporters also pointed to the irony of the mistake given Itoje’s experience at Test level.

“Maro Itoje is a test centurion and still gives away stupid penalties like that,” another fan wrote.

For England, the defeat raises serious questions about discipline and leadership, while Italy celebrate a memorable and historic win in Rome.

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England down to 13! Maro Itoje is the latest offender to be sent to the sin bin 🟨 #GuinnessM6N

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6:15 PM · Mar 7, 2026

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England player ratings vs Italy:

15. ELLIOT DALY — 5

Soldiered on despite some question marks around a slight limp during the warm-up. Solid in the backfield early on and tried to unleash Cadan Murley with neat grubber kicks. Could not catch Tommaso Menoncello as the centre broke free for his first-half score.

Daly was calm and concise throughout the second half as he orchestrated the backfield, yet defensive struggles proved costly against a ruthless Italian side.

14. TOM ROEBUCK — 5

Back in the fold after being dropped from the squad that was defeated by Ireland in round three. Sprang to life after a quiet first half, skipping past three defenders with a breathtaking carry before collecting Fin Smith’s kick to bag himself a try on the final play of the first half.

Roebuck kicked into gear in the second half as England gained a foothold in attack.

13. TOMMY FREEMAN — 6

Showcased some audacious handling with an out-the-back pass while being sent into touch to keep the ball alive in style. The Saints man then ran in England’s opening try, timing his run out wide to collect Alex Coles’ looping miss pass.

Freeman was a joy to watch as he skipped through contact and ignited the travelling fans. However, too many missed tackles proved costly, as Menoncello broke free in the build-up to Italy’s late score.

12. SEB ATKINSON — 4

Plenty of excitement around the Gloucester young gun, who ran out for his first Six Nations match. Produced swift, flat passing to bring the forward pack into play but took time to settle into the frantic pace against opposite man Tommaso Menoncello.

Atkinson flowed around the park with some nice touches that stretched the defence. However, he was flattened in defence as Italy broke free for their decisive try.

11. CADAN MURLEY — 5

The hot-stepping Harlequin earned his first cap of the 2026 Championship and was quickly in pursuit on kick chases. Murley rose high to claim the ball well in an aerial battle with former Harlequins teammate Louis Lynagh.

Produced breathless work on the kick chase to tackle Alessandro Garbisi early in the second half and win back possession. A solid effort from the flyer who was eager to impress.

10. FIN SMITH — 5

Named at the helm for his first start of the 2026 Six Nations after George Ford was dropped by Steve Borthwick. Threw an early miss pass into the hands of Brex but was let off with a penalty advantage. Smith had a 13th-minute kick charged down, knocked the ball on and went off his feet at the ruck during a shaky first half.

However, Smith then got the gears turning for England’s opening try before sending a perfect kick wide for Tom Roebuck to gather and score.

9. BEN SPENCER — 5 (OFF 58)

Like Fin Smith, Spencer made his first start of this year’s Championship. Tried an early chip to the wing but the ball did not find its mark.

He was out-wrestled for the ball at a 17th-minute ruck, which led to a near miss for England. Kept England’s ball speed moving at a quick pace but was at times slow to react to the livewire Alessandro Garbisi. Delivered several solid box kicks into the Italian backfield.

1. ELLIS GENGE — 5 (OFF 58)

Arguably England’s most reliable performer throughout a roller-coaster campaign. Lucky that the referee missed his off-the-ball shove on Michele Lamaro before he was busted open early on, sporting a taped head.

That did not stop the “Baby Rhino”, who won a 16th-minute scrum penalty and was instrumental with his carrying. Steady at the scrum despite the mountain task of battling Simone Ferrari as the pair traded wheelings.

Genge was inches from scoring early in the second half but dropped the ball on the line in a maul drive.

2. JAMIE GEORGE — 7

The veteran former England captain returned to the starting XV after being on the bench against Scotland and Ireland. Quick off the mark to chase down box kicks and force Italian errors.

Delivered a strong early line-out but required medical attention to his shoulder after some gruelling battles with the Italian pack. His marquee moment came when he won a 43rd-minute scrum penalty on the Italian put-in, battling through multiple knocks when his side needed leadership.

3. JOE HEYES — 5 (OFF 67)

Quick to get stuck into the match with some short, sharp carries across the gain-line. Wrong-footed by Tommaso Menoncello as the centre exploded across the gain-line for his first-half try.

Produced a strong effort at the scrum as Heyes met the formidable Danilo Fischetti head-on and held his own.

4. MARO ITOJE — 4

Down on the deck after 14 minutes and in need of medical attention as England were overrun by unpredictable Italian attack. Lost a line-out to the grasp of Michele Lamaro in a rare aerial mishap from the usually reliable captain.

Itoje was then sent to the sin bin for needlessly disrupting the ball at a maul.

5. ALEX COLES — 5

Lost possession as he presented the ball in a maul for an early unforced error. Coles made amends by shipping a wide pass to assist Tommy Freeman, with the Saints partnership combining for England’s opening try.

6. GUY PEPPER — 7

The Bath man threw his weight into early carries, sending Alessandro Garbisi to the deck. It took multiple men to stop Pepper, who was a threat on the front foot and one of England’s better performers in a slow first half.

With lung-busting work around the park, Pepper excelled defensively and has the blindside flank firmly locked down in this England team. On a dark day, he did himself proud.

7. SAM UNDERHILL — 5 (OFF 69)

Involved from the get-go despite previously being named as a replacement following Tom Curry’s injury from a rolling maul in the warm-up. Underhill was left red-faced as Tommaso Menoncello skipped past him to break free for his first-half score.

Sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Danilo Fischetti midway through the second half.

8. BEN EARL — 6

The record-setting carrier from this fixture last year, Earl picked up where he left off 12 months ago to dent the blue wall. His customary roars echoed around the Stadio Olimpico as he wore his heart on his sleeve.

Steered England’s scrum well from the back as the revered Italian pack was well matched. Not his most clinical performance in defence as Italy exploited space.

REPLACEMENTS

16. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE — 3 (ON 75)

17. BEVAN RODD — 4 (ON 58)

The Sale man was introduced just before the hour mark as Ellis Genge had emptied the tank against Simone Ferrari. Rodd helped England raise their intensity.

18. TREVOR DAVISON — 4 (ON 67)

Thrown into the mix as England needed fresh legs up front with Italy just two points behind. Established a steady base.

19. OLLIE CHESSUM — 6 (ON 67)

Replaced Sam Underhill after the Bath man did not return from the sin bin. Chessum produced a quick burst across the gain-line and tried to maximise his minutes.

20. CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH — 4 (ON 76)

A late change saw Tom Curry injured in the warm-up, with Cunningham-South pushed onto the bench and Sam Underhill shifted into the starting XV.

21. HENRY POLLOCK — 5 (ON 73)

22. JACK VAN POORTVLIET — 5 (ON 58)

The Leicester Tigers scrum-half took over from Ben Spencer and was taken out in the air, resulting in a nasty landing.

23. MARCUS SMITH — N/A

Name every England captain of the professional era

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England player ratings vs Italy: 2026 Six Nations

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