/world sport
ROME, Italy -- Jonny Wilkinson passed 1000 points for England but there was little else for the team's supporters to enthuse over in a 23-19 Six Nations Championship victory in Rome.
Wilkinson converted early tries by Paul Sackey and Toby Flood and kicked three penalties to go into four figures, but England again frittered away a useful lead and ended hanging on to their slender advantage.
England had six players missing through illness or injury, including captain Phil Vickery, who was suffering from a stomach bug.
Bath lock Steve Borthwick led England for the first time and Matt Stevens came into the front row.
England still made an impressive start, Sackey and Flood both going over in the first 15 minutes, with Wilkinson supplying the final pass in both instances .Wilkinson landed both conversions and the second brought up his 1000 points for his country.
Between the tries Italy full-back David Bortolussi kicked a penalty when Lesley Vainikolo was penalized for not releasing the ball in his own 22.
Wilkinson added two penalties to Bortolussi's one before the break when England looked comfortable at 20-6 against a disappointing home team
England wilted in the second session, though, and Bortolussi landed two penalties against one by Wilkinson, who was eventually replaced by Danny Cipriani.
In the closing stages Cipriani's kick was charged down by Simon Picone and Bortolussi's conversion cut the deficit to four points. E-mail to a friend 
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