Loss for Ireland England's last hope as Italy defeat fails to clinch points difference
FT: Italy 11 England 52
England’s hopes of claiming the 2014 RBS 6 Nations title were left resting on events in Paris after Italy were crushed at the Stadio Olimpico.
Having failed to overhaul Ireland’s superior points difference of plus 49, they require France to spoil Brian O’Driscoll’s international farewell if they are to be crowned champions.
Mike Brown’s sensational Championship continued with his brace of tries decorating a fine individual contribution, while Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, Mako Vunipola, Manu Tuilagi and Chris Robshaw also crossed.
Italy’s defence was falling to pieces and they effectively waved England through for their next two tries with Vunipola and Tuilagi strolling over.
It was then the visitors’ turn to blunder, however, with wing Leonardo Sarto picking off an intercept try from Joe Launchbury’s pass.
Farrell was lucky to escape a yellow card after tackling Edoardo Gori around the neck and then pulling him to the ground amid a frustrating end to the match for England.
The flow of tries had dried up, but there was still time for one more with captain Chris Robshaw taking Farrell’s injury-time pass and coasting over.
