England earned a first win of Steve Borthwick's tenure with a pragmatic bonus-point win over Italy in the Six Nations at Twickenham.
England head coach Steve Borthwick Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Loosie Jack Willis marked his return to the side with an opening try before lock Ollie Chessum powered over for the second.
Hooker Jamie George added a third from close range but Italy hit back after the break through Marco Riccioni.
A penalty try sealed the bonus and Henry Arundell scored a fifth, while Alessandro Fusco claimed a consolation.
Victory for the hosts lifts them to third in the table, above defending champions France on points difference, while Italy drop down to fifth.
Borthwick's men travel to Cardiff to face Wales in their next game on 25 February, after next weekend's break, as the Azzurri host world number one side Ireland earlier on the same day.
After a narrow opening round defeat by Scotland, the task for England was simple: beat perennial Six Nations underperformers Italy and build momentum at the beginning of the Borthwick era.
The overriding objective may have been achieved, but for 70 minutes this was far from a vintage England performance.
Yesterday Ireland beat France 32-19 and Scotland beat Wales 35-7.
Ireland and Scotland have 10 points, England six, France five, Italy one and Wales none.
-BBC