ROME, 16 February 2004 — Jason Robinson scored a hat trick of livewire tries as England began the defense of the Six Nations championship with a dominant 50-9 victory over Italy yesterday.
Coach Clive Woodward’s experiment of starting Robinson at center was handsomely rewarded when the former rugby league man crossed twice in the first half, following a try by fullback Iain Balshaw, to give the world champions a 26-9 halftime lead.
Josh Lewsey, Robinson and flyhalf Paul Grayson, who also kicked 15 points to ensure the injured Jonny Wilkinson was not missed, scored in a 10-minute burst midway through the second half to pull England clear. Debutant forward Chris Jones then added a seventh try in injury time to get England’s new era as world champions off to a solid start and make it 10 wins from 10 games against the Italians.
Italy made the worst possible start, conceding a penalty from the kickoff which Grayson slotted over.
When the teams met at Twickenham last year England ran riot in the first 20 minutes but this time Italy recovered and a period of sustained possession set up flyhalf Rima Wakarua to fire over a drop goal.
England, showing several changes from the team who won the World Cup final last November due to injuries and the retirement of captain Martin Johnson, had looked sluggish but came to life in the 16th minute when Robinson slipped ball to fullback Balshaw to dive over the line for the first try.
Grayson and Wakarua traded penalties before a wayward up-and-under by the Italian flyhalf handed possession to Robinson. He exchanged passes with Lewsey then left Wakarua flailing with a trademark high-speed sidestep for his first try.
After another penalty apiece England finished the half with a superb crossfield move finished off by Robinson to give them a 26-9 lead at the break. After the interval Italy came out in a bullish mood and number eight Sergio Parisse was prevented from carrying the ball over the line only by a last-ditch tackle by scrumhalf Andy Gomarsall.
