Newz Forum: OTHER: England Rugby team cruise to victory

England racked up a half-century of points to win their opening Six Nations game against Italy on Sunday.Elusive centre Jason Robinson scored a hat-trick as England ran in seven tries in their first competitive match since winning the World Cup.

While the game lacked a certain spark of entertainment, England again demonstrated their technical and physical superiority, and were rarely seriously troubled.The world champions have eased into the tournament. The Azzurri, on the other hand, suffered another ignominious defeat and lost key three-quarter Manuel Dallan with what looked like a serious injury.

England coach Sir Clive Woodward was satisfied with a job well done.Woodward also paid tribute to Jason Robinson, who was moved to centre and sealed a livewire display with three impressive tries.The decision to play Robinson at centre rather than wing or full-back had been questioned in some quarters.Robinson, however, was keen not to take all the credit for England's victory.

Teams:

Italy:

A Masi (Viadana); N Mazzucato (Calvisano), C Stoica (Montpellier), M Dallan (Treviso), D Dallan (Treviso); R Wakarua (Brescia), P Griffen (Calvisano); A Lo Cicero (Lazio), F Ongaro (Treviso), M Castrogiovanni (Calvisano), S Dellape (Treviso), M Bortolami (Padova), A De Rossi (Calvisano, capt); A Persico (Leeds), S Parisse (Treviso).

Replacements:

S Perugini (Calvisano), C Festuccia (SKG Gran Parma), C Checchinato (Treviso), Silvio Orlando (Treviso), S Picone (Treviso), R De Marigny (Overmach Parma), M Bergamasco (Stade Francais).

England:

I Balshaw (Bath); J Lewsey (Wasps), W Greenwood (Harlequins), J Robinson (Sale Sharks), B Cohen (Northampton); P Grayson (Northampton), A Gomarsall (Gloucester); T Woodman (Gloucester), S Thompson (Northampton), P Vickery (Gloucester), D Grewcock (Bath), B Kay (Leicester), J Worsley (Wasps), R Hill (Saracens), L Dallaglio (Wasps, captain).

Replacements:

M Regan (Leeds), J Leonard (Harlequins), S Shaw (Wasps), C Jones (Sale Sharks), M Dawson (Northampton), O Barkley (Bath), H Paul (Gloucester).




[Edited on 15/2/04 by TRD]