England ‘ruck a bit harder’ in second half during Rugby Six Nations win over Italy

Jonathan Joseph of England crashes through Italian tacklers to score his team's fourth try and complete his hat trick during the RBS Six Nations match between Italy and England at the Stadio Olimpico Show more

Jonathan Joseph scored a hat-trick of second-half tries as England overcame a sluggish first period to record a comfortable 40-9 win over Italy in Rome the Six Nations on Sunday.

Perfect record

The win stretched England’s perfect record over Italy to 22 wins. England had only a two-point lead when Joseph intercepted a pass from Leonardo Sarto and waltzed in for his first try.

Five minutes later, near the hour mark, the England centre got his second following a perfect kick from Danny Care. Joseph’s hat-trick try came when he dragged three defenders over the line in the 71st.

Joseph proud

“We spoke about starting well. Unfortunately we didn’t quite get that today,” Joseph said.

“But once we got into it, we showed what England can do and we are very proud of that performance.”

Better second half

George Ford had England’s only try of the first half, while Owen Farrell added another in the closing minutes and also kicked for 12 points.

“We seemed surprised when they were competing for the ball,” England skipper Dylan Hartley said.

“So second half we came out, we took the onus on ourselves to compete at the ruck a bit harder, get a foot on the ball, mix things up at the breakdown and I think it got us a good return there.”

England top table

England improved to 2-0 following their win over Scotland last week and lead the tournament ahead of France on points difference, with Wales in third.

“We thought we’d get our points in the last 20 minutes and that’s how it turned out,” England coach Eddie Jones said. “We let them into the game in the first half with ill discipline.”

Italy hurting

Italy have two losses following a narrow opening-round defeat to France in Paris and look to be headed for another wooden spoon.

“I’m disappointed. Because conceding 40 points hurts,” Italy captain Sergio Parisse said. “We had the feeling that we were in the match during the first half”.

England next host Ireland on February 27 while Italy face Scotland on the same day.

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