SO MUCH for the eagerlyanticipated home victory – yet England’s hard-earned triumph over Italy produced any number of talking points.
Credit the opposition for sturdy intent in attack and defence as well as a highlyinnovative game plan while England showed resilience by streaking home, late in the game, by a comfortable margin.
The main talking point, however, must be Italy’s tactics at the breakdown which severely tested England’s know-how.
Regardless of tactical considerations, the episode involving Hartley and Haskell’s lengthy debate with the referee surely...