Former international flanker Lewis Moody has urged England to adopt an all-out attack against Italy, with George Ford the fly-half who should conduct the points grab in Rome.

The climactic round of the Six Nations unfolds on Saturday with England, Ireland and France locked in a three-way shoot-out for the title.

Armed with a seemingly insurmountable points difference, the Irish are in the driving seat knowing victory at the Stade de France would all-but assure Brian O’Driscoll’s final Test ends in fairytale fashion.

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Italy must be overwhelmed at the Stadio Olimpico as Ireland’s points superiority is 49 greater than England’s, but Moody insists it can be done.

And the former England captain believes 20-year-old Bath fly-half Ford, who made his debut as a late replacement in Sunday’s 29-18 victory over Wales, should be asked to pull the strings.

“England can allow George a start,” Moody said.

“I don’t think changing one player in the starting XV will have a great impact on the outcome of the match.

“George needs game time because England need to see what other options they have at fly-half, so hopefully he’ll start against Italy.

“England have their hands on a piece of silverware in the Triple Crown, which is reward for their endeavour so far.



“OK it’s not what they want, they want the title and to do that they have to score as many points as possible against Italy.”

England were kept in title contention with a surprisingly comfortable victory over Wales at Twickenham that avenged their 30-3 rout in Cardiff last year.