Italy just did the unthinkable. After 33 attempts and three decades of frustration, the Azzurri finally took down England in a 23-18 thriller at the Stadio Olimpico. If you thought the "wooden spoon" jokes were still relevant, Saturday night in Rome proved they're officially dead. This wasn't a fluke or a lucky bounce of the ball. It was a tactical masterclass from Gonzalo Quesada that exposed every single crack in Steve Borthwick's crumbling facade.
The atmosphere was electric. You could feel the weight of history in the stands. For years, England viewed this fixture as a guaranteed five points. Not anymore. Italy has evolved from a team that "competes" into a team that finishes. They've now beaten Scotland and England in the same tournament. This is the new reality of European rugby.
The moment the hoodoo broke
For 60 minutes, it looked like the same old story. England led 18-10. They were physically dominant at the scrum early on. When Italy’s hooker Giacomo Nicotera saw yellow in the 51st minute, most fans assumed the floodgates would open. But something has changed in this Italian side. They don't panic.
The turnaround started with English indiscipline. Sam Underhill went to the bin for a high tackle, followed by Maro Itoje for a cynical slap-down. Playing against 13 men for a stretch, Italy smelled blood. Paolo Garbisi, who has become the heartbeat of this team, kept the scoreboard ticking with clinical penalties.
Then came the knockout blow in the 72nd minute. A sequence of play so fluid it made the English defense look like they were standing in wet cement. Monty Ioane gathered a high ball, found Tommaso Menoncello, who then fed Leonardo Marin. The Olimpico erupted. It wasn't just a try; it was the sound of a glass ceiling shattering.
Why Borthwick is in serious trouble
Steve Borthwick is facing a full-blown crisis. This was England's third straight defeat in the 2026 Championship. Losing to Ireland is one thing. Losing to Scotland is becoming a habit. But losing to Italy? That’s the kind of result that gets coaches fired.
England made 10 changes to their starting lineup after the Ireland debacle. It didn't work. The attack looked disjointed, and the discipline was appalling. When your captain, Maro Itoje, gets binned in the closing stages of a historic loss, you know the leadership is fraying.
- Discipline: England handed Italy 13 points through the boot of Garbisi.
- Tactics: The obsession with "kick-pressure" failed against an Italian backline that actually wanted to play rugby.
- Depth: The much-hyped English bench failed to settle the game when the pressure mounted.
Honestly, England looked like a team without an identity. Italy, meanwhile, knew exactly who they were. They played with a "Brexoncello" center partnership that is arguably the best in the tournament right now. Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello are world-class. Period.
The Quesada effect
Gonzalo Quesada has transformed this group in record time. Since taking over in 2024, he’s led them to wins over Australia, Scotland, and now the big one. He’s moved away from the "brave loser" mentality. He’s installed a defensive grit that was missing for twenty years.
Italy used to be a 60-minute team. They’d play well, get tired, and concede three tries in the final quarter. In Rome, they were the ones finishing stronger. They out-thought England in the contact area and stayed patient while the English players lost their cool.
It’s worth looking at the table. Italy is now fourth, sitting above England. They go to Cardiff next weekend with a genuine chance to finish third. That would be their best-ever Six Nations result. They aren't just here to make up the numbers. They’re here to take scalps.
A new era for the Six Nations
The "Big Five" is now a Big Six. For years, people argued about whether Italy deserved to be in the tournament. They talked about promotion and relegation. They talked about Georgia. Those conversations are over.
Italy has now beaten every single team in the Six Nations. They’ve proven that with the right coaching and a golden generation of talent like Menoncello and the Garbisi brothers, they can beat anyone on their day.
If you're an England fan, this is a dark day. It's the lowest point in recent memory. But if you're a fan of the sport, it’s beautiful. The unpredictability of the Six Nations is what makes it the best tournament in the world. Italy's rise is good for the game, even if it hurts Borthwick’s job security.
Go watch the highlights of Marin’s try. Watch the way the Italian players celebrated at the final whistle. That wasn't just a win; it was a release. The hoodoo is gone. England is no longer the unbeatable bogeyman in Rome.
Check the final round fixtures. Italy heads to Wales looking for a third win. England has to go to Paris to face France. Things might get a lot worse for the men in white before they get any better.
