BORTH'S ROMAN RUIN

Itoje and Underhill lose their heads as inspired Italy take England apart in the Eternal City

- BY ADAM HATHAWAY

ENGLAND lost their heads and boss Steve Borthwick could lose his after they were ruined in Rome by an inspired Italy.

Sam Underhill and Maro Itoje were both shown cards in a frantic second half in the Eternal City, Underhill for a high shot and Itoje for a slap down.

England briefly were down to 13 men and leading just 18-16, with Italy pressing and the men in white on the rack.

And when reserve scrumhalf Leonardo Marin went over, with Itoje still off, it was game over.

It was a first Six Nations win for the Italians over England - after 33 attempts - and it left coach Borthwick facing a mountain of problems.

England fans were in the grounds of the stadium four hours before kickoff and who can blame them?

Rome is one of the best trips on the schedule, with the weather normally decent and an England usually on the cards.

Not this time they didn't, as they were out-thought and outplayed by the brilliant hosts.