Champion England needed Owen Farrell's assured boot and Charlie Hodgson's opportunism to survive a Six Nations fright and beat Italy 19-15 Saturday for its second straight win under interim coach Stuart Lancaster. Italy threatened to secure its first victory over England in 18 tests when it took a 15-6 lead early in the second half before flyhalf Hodgson's try started a fightback. Farrell, who was flawless when offered a chance to kick at goal, added the other 14 points on his second test start. “We knew we had to keep our composure,” Hodgson told the BBC. “We felt we dominated in the first half but they got a lucky try. We kept plugging away, kept our heads and it came good in the end. “To show the resolve we have from 15-6 down, to be successful in a place like this we've shown what we have.” A dour opening half on a pitch partially covered in snow burst into life when Italy, trailing to two Farrell penalties, stunned England with two tries in the final three minutes through Giovanbattista Venditti and Tommaso Benvenuti to lead 12-6 at the break. Hodgson got England back into the game when he scored a try for the second week running after charging down a clearance and Farrell's boot then proved the difference as Lancaster's side followed up their opening 13-6 win over Scotland with another scrappy victory.
