LONDON -- England eased to a 47-24 win over Italy at Allianz Staidum, Twickenham on Sunday to earn their third victory of this year's Six Nations.
While at times a tame affair and not the all-out attacking rugby that England fans had hoped to enjoy, it was still a professional job from the hosts.
No. 8 Tom Willis crossed the line with England's first entry into Italy's 22 after three minutes, finishing off a well-orchestrated attack by Fin Smith.
As England attacked a few minutes later, centre Ollie Lawrence dropped to the ground and looked in a world of pain after getting his foot caught in the turf. The Bath centre was helped off the field, with Marcus Smith replacing him.
Italy hit back with their first meaningful attack after Monty Ioane produced a superb kick over the top from the right-hand side for Ange Capuozzo to pounce on.
The visitors should have edged ahead after 23 minutes with a penalty kick just to the right of the posts, but fly-half Paulo Garbisi sliced it wide, letting England of the hook.
They had to be patient in a clunky first half, but England eventually hit back through Tommy Freeman, whose fine form continued after he chased down a pinpoint kick from Elliot Daly to score his fourth try in as many games.
Moments later, England's defence was left wanting. Capuozzo sliced them open down the middle before handing the ball off to No. 8 Ross Vincent who outran four England chasers. Suddenly the visitors were level again.
As the match gradually took on some life, England came back again, this time passing it across the backline from right to left neatly through Fin Smith, Fraser Dingwall and Marcus Smith, with winger Ollie Sleightholme finishing the job in the corner.
Marcus Smith got the crowd on their feet to start the second half, bursting through the line after a rampant run from Will Stuart got England on the front foot. Smith picked up the ball thanks to an offload from Tom Curry before evading two Italian defenders and cruised in for an easy try.
The hosts backed it up just two minutes later as Tom Curry crashed over himself after picking up ball up off the back of a ruck. Suddenly, England looked out of sight.
While the win was by now in the bank, it became a bruising day for England on the injury front. Following Lawrence's withdrawal in the first half, Ben Earl limped off in the second with an apparent knee problem. Tom Curry also walked off gingerly on the 55-minute mark.
Sleightholme got his second of the afternoon after a string of nice play which started thanks to a strong run from captain Maro Itoje. Ben Curry, Alex Mitchell and Jamie George all had a touch of the ball before Sleightholme darted into the corner to score.
The match then gently simmered from then as England cantered home. George received a warm reception as he was substituted in his 100th Test match as Twickenham thanked one of its most loyal servants.
Tommaso Menoncello earned a late consolation try for Italy with 10 minutes to play, by which time some fans were already heading for the exits. Ben Earl gave fans one last thing to cheer about with a try in the final play of the match, but Fin Smith's missed conversion narrowly denied England a half century.
England travel to Cardiff next week to wrap up their championship against Wales, while Italy host Ireland in Rome.
Relive three classic Six Nations games between England and Italy ahead of their clash at Allianz Stadium this weekend.
- Lions watch: Is Sam Prendergast pushing Finn Russell at No. 10?
- Who could replace Warren Gatland as Wales head coach?
- WATCH: Relive some of Six Nations' classic games
- Six Nations and Women's Six Nations: Full fixture list
- British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures