Italy got as close as they ever have to beating England but the disjointed visitors held on to win 17-12 in the Six Nations rugby clash at the Stadio Flaminio in Rome on Sunday.

Although England kept alive their hopes of a first Grand Slam and championship since 2003, it was the underdog Italians who emerged with greatest credit from a tight game that kept fans in the packed stadium on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

That was largely thanks to an uncharacteristically erratic kicking performance from Jonny Wilkinson, who missed two penalties and a conversion, all from good positions.

However, England captain Steve Borthwick said he was impressed with his team's performance.

"We said from the outset that we wanted to win every match, and we have won the first two," said the 30-year-old lock.

"Preferably one likes to win by large margins but Italy are a tough side and we said during the week that it would be a tough match.

"I think we played some outstanding rugby. The breaks by Ugo Monye and Delon Armitage down the flanks were fantastic. We can take a lot of positives out of this (heading into their next match in a fortnight at home to Ireland)."

Talk in the Italy camp before kick-off had been about improving the line-out which malfunctioned so badly against Ireland last week, but it seemed lessons hadn't been learnt, when they lost a throw in after 10 minutes in their own 22 and then gave away a penalty, which Wilkinson duly slotted over.

However, just two minutes later Mirco Bergamasco kicked the hosts level after Nick Easter was penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

Although the game resembled ping-pong at times, England made a couple of good breaks after keeping the ball in hand and Gonzalo Garcia made a try-saving tackle on Ugo Monye after Mark Cueto had come in off the right wing to make a break before releasing his fellow winger down the left.

Wilkinson's radar then went askew as he came up short with a penalty from just inside the Italy half and then again when he sliced wide of the near post from inside the 22.

Italy took the lead on 35 minutes after winning quick line-out ball in England's 22 and spreading it wide before winning the penalty that Bergamasco converted.

But on the stroke of half-time Riki Flutey sliced through the Italy defence before a last ditch tackle from Craig Gower and then Martin Castrogiovanni stopped Lewis Moody 10 yards. But Italy gave away a penalty allowing Wilkinson to kick England level at the break and pass the 500-point mark in the Six Nations.

Ultimately Italy did not have the invention to make a decisive break and Wilkinson got in the pocket to knock over a drop goal with his right foot to give the visitors some breathing space five minutes from time.

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