England 31
Italy 14
As Patrick Mahomes geared up to pilot the Chiefs to the Vince Lombardi Trophy, Steve Borthwick's attacking drive appeared stuck in neutral amid a puzzling grubber-kicking ruse.
A five-try England overwhelmed Italy, but the hosts could have taken a leaf out of American football's book to solve their front-foot sticking point.
In the NFL, they put boot on ball only as a last resort. In Test rugby right now, top teams Ireland and France attack in relentless phase-play waves resembling the US sporting behemoth.
Keep the ball long enough and accurately enough through those phases, and the opposition will fold for either a penalty or a try.
England seemed convinced Italy would fall for a ploy that gained no reward, given the Azzurri's fixed defensive line yesterday.
This story is from the February 13, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the February 13, 2023 edition of Evening Standard.
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