The two undefeated teams in the Six Nations go head-to-head in Dublin in a clash of the two “best sides in the northern hemisphere.”

That is the unbiased opinion of Italian skipper Sergio Parisse, whose side has lost to both in their opening two games away from home.

The Italians are notoriously hard to break down and it was heartening to see England using the rapier to unpick the Azzurri defence, as well as the traditional English bludgeon.

Centre Jonathan Joseph was moved out to the wing in a reshuffled back line after full back Mike Brown appeared to be knocked unconscious after a try-saving tackle on Andrea Masi.

Brown lay prone in a seven-minute stoppage while the entire English medical team attended him.

The biggest cheer of the day erupted when Brown emerged on the English bench during the second half.

England coach Stuart Lancaster said Brown would be rested in line with concussion protocols but fortunately he has a fortnight before the Ireland game.

Joseph grabbed a brace of tries in a display of dazzling skill that prised open a miserly Italian defence, alongside his Bath teammate fly-half George Ford.

It is the artistry of the English backs that has galvanised this side after the stodgy fare on offer during the autumn internationals.

But Lancaster is not getting carried away as he expressed his disappointment at another slow start and giving away two “soft tries.”

“We gave away some penalties at the breakdown and Jonathan Sexton will make us pay for that indiscipline,” the coach said.

The statistics for this match make interesting reading as Italy had 53 per cent possession and territory and carried the ball more than England.

Also, England had to make more tackles than the visitors. All of which would not usually translate into such a lopsided scoreline.

The difference was the speed of thought of Ford and his fellow backs in making their attacks count. England’s marauding forwards also played their role in keeping attacks flowing.

The sight of Billy Vunipola bullocking forward on several long-running charges with Italian defenders bouncing off him brought Twickenham to its feet. 

The giant forward reaped his reward with a try. The 36-year-old Nick Easter came on and became the oldest English try-scorer after an English rolling maul undid the Italian defence.

This was a classy attacking victory but Ireland in Dublin is a different proposition and will be England’s sternest test so far.

The men in white will need to cut down the errors and penalties and play for 80 minutes.