England dream of sunlit uplands with Sleightholme

Six weeks ago England would definitely have settled for their current position, still mathematically in the hunt for the Six Nations title this season.

- Robert Kitson

France may now be strong favourites to lift the trophy on Saturday night but three consecutive home wins with a total of 12 tries scored have finally offered tangible evidence of red rose improvement after an often frustrating winter.

In isolation there was nothing particularly special about this seven-try victory against an outgunned Italy team on a beautiful afternoon but inside the camp it will be seized upon as further proof that England are genuinely on track for the sunlit uplands. Another bonus-point victory against Wales in Cardiff will be needed to put pressure on Les Bleus when they face Scotland in Paris later the same day but this was the first time in 32 Tests under Steve Borthwick that England have registered more than 40 points against tier-one opponents.

England will also be pleased with the way they responded to the loss of Ollie Lawrence with an achilles injury after eight minutes. It could have thrown them off balance tactically but a composed performance from the fly-half Fin Smith and some sharp finishing, not least from Ollie Sleightholme, who scored a brace of tries, left the visitors chasing shadows.