Leonardo Marin's 72nd-minute try secured Italy's first-ever victory over England as they won 23-18 in the Six Nations in Rome.

England looked to be battling their way to a nervy victory, but Marin was roared across the line by the home faithful at Stadio Olimpico as Italy moved up to fourth in the Six Nations table with a game to go.

Paolo Garbisi opened the scoring with a penalty, but England capitalised on a good start when Tommy Freeman scored the first try of the match in the 25th minute.

And though Tommaso Menoncello powered through the England defence to cross the line and give Italy the lead, Tom Roebuck scored on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors a narrow 12-10 lead at the break.

Fin Smith and Garbisi scored two penalties at either end, but England found themselves on the back foot when Sam Underhill and captain Maro Itoje found themselves in the sin bin heading into the final stages of the match.

Italy then made the most of their advantage, with Menoncello charging down the wing before finding Marin on the inside, and the latter sealed a famous victory for Italian rugby.

Defeat in Rome. #GuinnessM6N | #ITAvENG pic.twitter.com/3H3f4FbJCZ

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) March 7, 2026

Data Debrief: Lucky number 33 for Italy

After 32 failed attempts against England, Italy have finally got the better of them. It is also the first time England have failed to defeat Italy in the Six Nations (W26 L1), meaning all six teams in the competition have now beaten each other.

England, meanwhile, have lost three games in a row for the first time under Steve Borthwick, while it is the first time they have lost three straight Six Nations matches in a single campaign for the first time since 2018. 

On the road, England have now lost five of their last six in the Championship. Their solitary victory in that run came in Cardiff in Round 5 last year, their record away win in the Six Nations (68-14).