Six Nations news: Steve Borthwick disagrees with Matt Dawson after England beat Italy

Gregor Townsend has told his Scotland players to embrace “the toughest fixture in world rugby” in Paris on Saturday.

“It will be pumped up to the max," he said. “I think the atmospheres now at Stade de France are amazing. We saw it at the World Cup in 2023.

“France scored 70 points against a very good Italian team, they got 40 points against Wales, 40 points against Ireland. I think they could have scored 40 or 50 against England with the amount of chances they had. Just now, this is the toughest fixture in world rugby."

So it all comes down to 'Super Saturday'.

A bonus point win for France against Scotland in Paris and they will be champions. Anything less though, could let England in.....

England No.10 Fin Smith admitted to being downbeat over the injury suffered to Olloe Lawrence against Italy.

“When you see one of your best mates potentially losing the chance to go on a Lions tour and what was bound to be a massive year for him, it breaks your heart,” he said.

“I was probably a bit too gutted on the pitch, seeing that happen, and it maybe rattled me for a few minutes. We’re all absolutely devastated. I’ve got everything crossed that the scans say it’s not too bad but it is not looking brilliant. He is absolutely devastated."

England coach Steve Borthwick was satisfied despite his team's patchy display against Italy.

"We are pleased with plenty of those scores," he said. "The injury to Ollie Lawrence resulted in an reorganisation of the backline but I thought the players managed that really well. It looks like he injured his Achilles but we don't know to what extent.

"The way the team accelerated the scoreline was really good. This Italian side is really well coached and their battle at the breakdown is fierce. When we got quick ball and the contact area right, we took our opportunities. The team is progressing and developing."

2003 World Cup winner Matt Dawson wasn't satisfied with England's display despite their 47-24 over Italy.

Critical of the way Steve Borthwick's side lacked clinical ability late on, he said: "There were moments up until 50 to 55 minutes that England were in complete control.

"I was expecting them to put the afterburners on, but instead it was the handbrake in the way they went about their business towards the end."

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England captain Maro Itoje admitted his side had targeted a bonus point win over Italy to keep their title hopes alive.

"We wanted to get five points and win the game," he said. "As always with games of rugby we wanted to be better in periods and tighten up our defence a little.

"We wanted to move the ball, find space and be aggressive with ball in hand. We just have to do what we have to do. Wales in Cardiff is a massive game, it is a tough place to go."

All over as Ben Earl crosses in injury time.

But England's day has been soured by a serious injury to centre Ollie Lawrence.

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England are pulling clear now. Superb handling is rounded off by winger Sleightholme and Fin Smith makes it six conversions from six.

Game over.

That's the score they wanted! And it's followed by another.

Marcus Smith cuts over before Tom Curry adds a fifth try. Fin Smith converts both, and suddenly, a bonus point win looks a formality.

The Red Roses lead again as Ollie Sleightholme crosses.

Again the Azzurri hit back though, a Garbisi penalty reducing the deficit.

Some clash this!

Tommy Freeman restores England's lead with his fourth try in four Six Nations games.

Ross Vintcent then goes over for Italy though and we are all square again.

They've had no ball for 20 minutes but Italy are level. Monty Ioane kicks the ball forward again and Ange Capuozzo runs in the try.

Paolo Garbisi adds the conversion and it's back level.

What a start for England!

No.8 Jack Willis crashes over after great interplay between forwards and backs. Fin Smith converts and Steve Borthwick's side are up and running.

France captain Antoine Dupont has confirmed on social media that he ruptured cruciate ligaments in his knee during the win over Ireland. The scrum half was forced off in the first-half after Tadhg Beirne fell on his leg at a ruck.

"The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step," he said. "I am proud of what we accomplished yesterday and with all my strength with you, you will do it.

"Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge, I'll see you in a few months on the field."

READ MORE HERE.

It was all change in the Six Nations standings following a dramatic clash at the Aviva Stadium. 

Here's how things are shaping up ahead of England vs Italy. 

Ex-England international Anthony Watson believes Italy will put up a fight at Twickenham later today.

Speaking to Genting Casino, he said: "The most important thing in the Six Nations is not looking past your next game, with Wales on Super Saturday. You can't talk about that game until you talk about Italy and the Italians cannot be disrespected or mauled over like they once probably were.

"If England aren't on their money against Italy, then they'll lose. It's as simple as that. They'll look at the things which were positive against Scotland, such as the defence in the '22 and their desire; then they'll look for areas to build on, which will probably be their attacking fluidity.

"Everything is gameplan dependent, I know that the plan against Scotland will have probably been to minimise phases, which is why they kicked the ball so much. I would say they need to build on the things which have been really positive. They can't just focus on the attack, when it's defence which won them the game at the weekend."

Ireland captain Caelan Doris has raced to the defence of team-mate Sam Prendergast following the rugby star's dismal showing against France. 

The youngster struggled to match the intensity of the match, but Doris isn't concerned about his ability. 

Speaking after the loss, he said: “Sam has had a great campaign. He showed moments of what he’s capable of today. We’ve got to get better, we’ve got to learn from it.

“I think there were five minutes left, at that stage. We just spoke about finishing strong and showing what we could do in those last five minutes. We’ve come through some tight games in the last couple of seasons, and all of the things that have happened in the last couple of years, I think we’ve come through some tight games.”

Antoine Dupont could be looking at nine months on the sidelines following his injury in France's win over Ireland. 

The rugby star is expected to miss the remainder of the Toulouse season and could even be a doubt for the Autumn Internationals later this year. 

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Antoine Dupont's season may be over after the rugby star hobbled off injured during France's Six Nations victory over Ireland. 

It's reported by Planet Rugby that Dupont may have ruptured his ACL, which would rule him out for several months. 

Dupont is widely considered as the best rugby player in the world.

France take on Scotland in their final Six Nations match next weekend.  

Former player and coach Sir Clive Woodward has dubbed Steve Borthwick's decision to drop Marcus Smith from England's starting line-up a mistake. 

What's more, Woodward believes Borthwick has made the decision after watching the latest Six Nations: Full Contact release on Netflix. 

On the real reason why he believes Smith has been dropped, Woodward added: "I’ve got one theory. I watched the second series of Six Nations: Full Contact on Netflix recently. I didn’t enjoy it and that’s being polite. Although filmed 12 months ago, something felt very strange about the England camp compared to the other teams.

Morning and welcome everybody to our latest Six Nations blog.

We'll provide you with the latest updates from the tournament ahead of England's crunch clash against Italy at Twickenham later today.

Will it be another cracker following two thrillers yesterday in Dublin and Edinburgh?