England survived a scare at the Stadio Olimpico to launch their post-World Cup rebuild with a 27-24 victory over Italy in their Guinness Six Nations opener.
England flyhalf Marcus Smith is awaiting scan results on a leg injury sustained in training just five days before the Guinness Six Nations' opener against Italy.
A host of rugby's most gifted players will go head to head over the coming weeks in the 25th instalment of the Guinness Six Nations.
South Africa's Aseza Hele attended an independent Disciplinary Committee hearing for an offence contrary to Law 9.13 (dangerous tackle) in South Africa's WXV2 match against Italy.
France secured their spot in the Rugby World Cup knockout stage in impressive fashion by trouncing Italy 60-7, eliminating Italy in the process.
New Zealand showed no mercy against Italy in their Rugby World Cup clash in Lyon on Friday as they ran in 14 tries to win 96-17.