#360Fans: England-Italy Six Nations preview

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  • Playing catch-up: Italy are looking for their first Six Nations victory this year but England will be tough to beat at Twickenham.

    In round two of the Six Nations Italy travel to England in a match where the hosts enter as strong favourites. Can Sergio Parisse inspire the Azzurri to an unlikely victory? Or will Chris Robshaw's men continue their fine form?

    – Six Nations: Disappointing France, Ireland late show sees off Italy
    – Chris Robshaw selected as England captain for Rugby World Cup

    Ahead of the Twickenham clash, Xodus Wasps player and proud fan of the Red Rose Ben Rothwell said:"Last week I picked out George Ford as a potential game-winner for us and he didn't disappoint. He distributed very well and offered a very good attacking threat of his own.

    "I do not think there is a threat of complacency as I think those guys are still looking over their shoulders to see the big guns waiting there, coming back from injury. People like Coutney Lawes and Joe Launchbury.

    "I think the players will be wanting to go out there and put a very positive victory on Italy and I think for that reason, 20 to 25 points is the sort of margin I'd like to see for England this week."

    "Italy have some class players. People like (Sergio) Parisse, you can never underestimate what people like Parisse bring to the game. So England need to be far from complacent."

    Italy have been handed a tough assignment this weekend at Twickenham but have recalled Test veterans Marco Bortolami and Mauro Bergamasco in a bid to reverse their fortunes after a disapointing loss to Ireland. Luca Mene of Abu Dhabi Saracens thinks his countrymen will have their work cut out.

    "They have to be more confident in themselves," he tells Sport360. "They were really scared of Ireland and so they just defended all game, because they didn't want to be badly defeated at home.

    "My suggestion would be to risk a bit more and try to play. If you lose at least you've tried and last Saturday we didn't try. We will probably lose even more heavily (against England) but I hope that we will try to play our game.

    "I would say (Michele) Campagnaro is our biggest threat. He is a very good centre and is supposed to move to France next year. A very good player. But I'm afraid England will win by twenty."

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