England bounced back from conceding a fourth minute try to claim a commanding 47-17 victory over wooden spoon regulars Italy at Twickenham.
In their first match of 2015 in front of home fans, Stuart Lancaster’s men were hoping to kick start this World Cup year with a win and they delivered in fine style, though they had to first ride out a nervy start.
Still revelling in the opening success over Wales, England retained the starting XV that reigned victorious in Cardiff, but that rock-steady line-up were shaken in the opening quarter as Sergio Parisse gave the Italians a shock lead.
After intercepting a Red Rose line-out, the ball found its way out to Parisse who surged down the left wing, sold Mike Brown a dummy and wandered past Anthony Watson to score, though the conversion was missed.
There was further bad news for the hosts when Mike Brown was knocked out after a collision with Italy centre Andrea Masi and replaced by Billy Twelvetrees after 13 minutes.
The visitors were punching holes through England's defence in a impressive start and Lancaster’s men were fortunate not to be punished further following a number of routine errors, though they soon took control of proceedings, with tries from Billy Vunipola and Jonathan Joseph and five points from the boot of fly-half George Ford opening up a 15-5 lead at the break.
Vunipola needed TMO to confirm his try which put England ahead, the number eight getting help from James Haskell as he barged over the line, but there was no need for the video referee for Joseph’s try, as he showed blistering pace from Chris Robshaw’s successful turnover to blaze over, with George Ford missing the first but converting the second.
Two missed penalty attempts in quick succession from Kelly Haimona ensured Englad had a healthy half-time lead, which they increased shortly after the restart through a Ford penalty, but the battling Italians reduced the deficit with their second try of the match on 48 minutes.
It was brilliant attacking play from the visitors, with Leonardo Sarto collecting his own chip down the right to release Luca Morisi, via passes from Luke McLean and Haimona, with the centre gliding past Dave Attwood and Haskell, and a tap-tackle from Watson unable to stop him from touching down.
Haimona, however, missed his fourth shot at goal and his profligacy proved costly as the Azzurri would have been ahead had he converted the two conversions and two penalties.
And England took advantage with a strong response, Ben Youngs sauntering over from five metres after taking a quick tap and Ford first kicking the hosts further ahead before providing the pop pass for Joseph to burst through and score his second try.
It was his final act as Danny Cipriani came on for the Bath fly-half, and the substitute wasted no time in adding to the score, speeding over the line less than a minute later to cap off his first Six Nationsappearance since 2008.
Nick Easter was next to touch down and conclude England’s scoring, with Cipriani missing a difficult conversion chance, and while Morisi popped up with his second try two minutes from time, shrugging off a challenge from Jonny May with ease, a tired Italy were well beaten as England’s perfect start to their campaign continues
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