Italian lessons England fine-tune preparations

The bespoke detail of England’s defensive preparation was in full sight during Friday’s open training session at Twickenham, which took place in front of a crowd of some 12,000 spectators.

England backs Owen Farrell and George Ford took it in turns to wear a dark scrum cap in imitation of Carlo Canna, the Italy fly-half and chief playmaker.

“I will let you read into that,” said a smiling James Haskell. “I think it suited Owen. Fordy looked a bit like Tiny Tim with it on. I told him that to his face.

“We have to be aware of the Italian threats, where they come to life, the kind of game they want to build – that setpiece-orientated game with big ball-carriers, pick-and-goes and thriving off other teams’ mistakes.” need to look too hard into the game because it might change when I come on.”

Te’o must wait until Tuesday to be told if he is to underpin England’s assault on Italy with a maiden Test start, and whether it will come at 12, or 13, where he excelled in Cardiff outside the settled midfield axis of George Ford and Owen Farrell.

Indeed, Haskell acknowledged the hallmarks of Teague’s techniques in the match-winning counter that created Elliot Daly’s try, instigated by Ford and Farrell.

Haskell said: “We have skills blocks with extras where Rory will pull people out. You’ve probably seen him kicking footballs at us to catch – he nearly took Tom Wood’s teeth out in Portugal – and booting soaking wet balls at people as well. If you practise something enough, and you are constantly doing it under pressure, you are going to see an improvement.

“That pass from Faz was unbelievable – Elliot didn’t have to break stride at all. I think the things Rory is doing are having an influence, or at least refining the skill that is already there – although he’s never going to make me a 10.”