Try GOLD - Free
England dream of sunlit uplands with Sleightholme
The Guardian
|March 10, 2025
Six weeks ago England would definitely have settled for their current position, still mathematically in the hunt for the Six Nations title this season.
France may now be strong favourites to lift the trophy on Saturday night but three consecutive home wins with a total of 12 tries scored have finally offered tangible evidence of red rose improvement after an often frustrating winter.
In isolation there was nothing particularly special about this seven-try victory against an outgunned Italy team on a beautiful afternoon but inside the camp it will be seized upon as further proof that England are genuinely on track for the sunlit uplands. Another bonus-point victory against Wales in Cardiff will be needed to put pressure on Les Bleus when they face Scotland in Paris later the same day but this was the first time in 32 Tests under Steve Borthwick that England have registered more than 40 points against tier-one opponents.
England will also be pleased with the way they responded to the loss of Ollie Lawrence with an achilles injury after eight minutes. It could have thrown them off balance tactically but a composed performance from the fly-half Fin Smith and some sharp finishing, not least from Ollie Sleightholme, who scored a brace of tries, left the visitors chasing shadows.
This story is from the March 10, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
We asked you to help to defeat hatred and social division. Your response has been incredible
The Guardian's 2025 charity appeal launched a few weeks ago against a backdrop of creeping nastiness and social division: the return of 1970s-style racist abuse, the demonisation of refugees and the resurgence of far-right marches in Britain’s streets.
2 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
Nasa orders first space station evacuation over astronaut health
Nasa has ordered its first medical evacuation from the International Space Station in its 25-year history, after an astronaut in the orbital laboratory fell ill with a \"serious\" but undisclosed issue.
2 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
Stage review Western in the West End teems with Trumpian terror
How do you turn a classic Hollywood western into West End musical fare?
2 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
Jessie Buckley ‘Everyone knows she will go down as one of the best’
Hamnet, Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestselling novel about William Shakespeare and his wife, Agnes Hathaway, is a tender meditation on love and grief.
4 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
The 'analogue bag' trend helping to stop millennials scrolling
There's a new it-bag in fashion but this time it is not about a designer label or splashy logo.
2 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
US hiring holds firm despite slow job growth in 2025
Hiring held firm in the US last month, official data showed, amid uncertainty over the strength and direction of the world's largest economy.
1 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
UK right to use 'statecraft' in deciding whether to criticise allies, says attorney general
Nations are right to consider diplomatic relations when deciding whether to “call out” potential breaches of international law, the attorney general has said, after the UK government faced criticism over its reluctance to condemn the US attack on Venezuela.
3 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
UK to spend £200m on preparing troops for Ukraine role
The UK will spend £200m preparing British troops for deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, the defence secretary has announced.
1 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
Two old masters in one: optical illusion found to be painting by Rubens
Is it a bald old man with a big bushy beard and a wine-addled stare?
2 mins
January 10, 2026
The Guardian
Money hacks Tax return deadline is looming - here's what to do
The deadline is 31 January, but don’t put it off - try to set aside enough time over the next few days to complete your tax return for the tax year that ran from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025.
4 mins
January 10, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size