Paolo Garbisi Downplays Historic Opportunity as Italy Prepares for "Wounded" England in Rome

Italy fly-half Paolo Garbisi warns against over-optimism ahead of the England clash in Rome. Read about Borthwick's squad overhaul and the latest rugby news.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 4, 2026, 6:21 AM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from RugbyPass

Garbisi Rejects the "Underdog" Narrative

As Italy prepares to host England at the Stadio Olimpico this Saturday, March 7, 2026, playmaker Paolo Garbisi has provided a sobering reality check for fans dreaming of a historic upset. While external chatter suggests England is "in free fall" following consecutive losses to Scotland and Ireland, the 25-year-old fly-half remains unconvinced that the gap has closed significantly. Speaking to The Rugby Pod, Garbisi pointed to Italy’s 47-24 loss at Twickenham in 2025 as evidence of England's inherent power. "I don’t see it as a very big opportunity, to be honest," Garbisi stated, emphasizing that England remains a high-quality side despite their current dip in form.

A Tale of Two Spirits in Round Four

The two sides enter the weekend in vastly different psychological states. Italy is riding a wave of relative optimism after a first-round victory over Scotland and a narrow, valiant loss to Ireland in Dublin. In contrast, England—originally touted as France’s main title rivals—is reeling. The pressure has forced England boss Steve Borthwick into a radical tactical shift, axing six players entirely from the squad that lost to Ireland and making nine changes to the starting XV. This "mass overhaul" is seen by many as a desperate attempt to protect England's unblemished 32-0 historical record against the Azzurri.

The Threat of the "Hiding to Nothing"

For England, the trip to Rome is widely described as being "on a hiding to nothing." A win is expected and will do little to silence critics of Borthwick’s regime, while a loss would be a catastrophic first in the history of English rugby. Garbisi’s cautious stance may be a tactical move to manage expectations, but it also reflects the physical reality of facing a Borthwick-coached pack. He noted that while Italy could have a "good game" with perfect execution, they cannot afford to underestimate a side that still boasts some of the most powerful individuals in the Northern Hemisphere.