England belatedly got their 2021 Six Nations campaign up and running with a routine 41-18 bonus-point win against Italy at Twickenham.
The reigning champions suffered an opening defeat at home to Scotland last week and initially continued their slow start when Monty Ioane broke the deadlock for Italy after just two minutes and 23 seconds.
But Eddie Jones' side recovered over the course of the first half, scoring three times, including through Jonny May's 32nd Test try.
Anthony Watson's second of the match put the result beyond doubt, before Jack Willis touched down on his Six Nations debut, only to later depart with an apparently serious knee injury that put a dampener on the day.
England are the only Six Nations side never to have lost to Italy but were briefly threatened as a smart move from right to left saw Jacopo Trulla send Ioane through to score for the first time for the Azzurri.
32 - @J0nnyMay now has 32 tries for England, moving past @RugbyBenCohen and @WillGreenwood (both 31) as England men's second top try scorer, behind Rory Underwood (49). Airborne pic.twitter.com/mCQhChdhzU
— OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 13, 2021
Owen Farrell's penalty cut the deficit, however, and England led in the 14th minute when Jonny Hill forced the ball over from close range for his own maiden international try.
The hosts did not immediately pull out of sight and Paolo Garbisi's kick levelled the match, although Watson soon sauntered through a misshapen Italy defence and a spectacular May effort, leaping over Luca Sperandio's tackle and riding the left-sided corner flag, added to England's advantage.
Italy scored first again after the break through Garbisi's penalty, but Watson picked off a slack pass to race away for another try, awarded despite the TMO's interest in a prior Farrell challenge.
The scoring continued when Willis bundled over after a weaving Dan Robson run shortly before he was injured in a ruck, then the sides traded tries as Tomasso Allan ran through the middle for Italy but England responded with Elliot Daly in the clear on the left.
Italy boot away initiative
A spirited early showing – including their second-fastest Six Nations try – had Italy in the game, but they then retreated to a fairly aimless kicking approach that handed England control.
The visitors attempted 16 kicks in play to England's 14 in the first half yet had just 32.1 per cent of the possession, giving their hard-running defence little respite.
May moving up all-time list
May's score on the stroke of half-time came at the end of an extended period of pressure after Italy's latest kick was charged down.
It was a special try, too, as his 32nd England effort moved him clear of Will Greenwood and Ben Cohen in outright second place on his country's all-time list, now trailing only Rory Underwood (49).
What's next?
England are on the road for the first time this season when they visit Wales on February 27, while Italy face another tough test at home to Ireland earlier the same day.
