ENGLAND'S quest for an unprecedented hat-trick of Six Nations titles was launched with a 46-15 victory over Italy in Rome.

The champions exploded out of the blocks, with Anthony Watson scoring twice inside the opening ten minutes, but the overwhelming win only materialised in the closing stages.

Italy's whitewash was breached seven times in the bonus-point visit to the Stadio Olimpico but England were made to work hard by a team that had nine starters with ten caps or fewer.

Eddie Jones had urged his players to set the tone for their campaign by putting the Azzurri to the sword, and they responded, but there will be plenty to pick apart – not least the way they were exposed out wide when leaking two tries.

The victory came at a cost too, as Ben Youngs was forced off with what appeared a serious knee injury.

From the moment Watson ran in the opening try after 172 seconds, a 24th victory over Italy looked assured.

George Ford was the ringmaster, springing into action after Ben Te'o made a strong carry with a wrap-around move and slick handling sending Watson over.

The Bath wing's second took more finishing but he was able to touch down with an outstretched arm after Jonny May had made the initial break in midfield.

Tommaso Benvenuti ran on to a long pass by Tommaso Allan to interrupt the flow of England's tries with a superb score but, soon after, a gap appeared in midfield and Owen Farrell shaped to pass before accelerating over.

For all their inexperience, Italy were generating plenty of possession and at times they attacked at pace.

Yet they were error-prone and in the 52nd minute their line-out defence disintegrated to allow Sam Simmonds to pierce through the middle and sprint over.

Italy's ongoing endeavour was rewarded when Mattia Bellini touched down after England were exposed out wide for a second time.

But any hope of causing an upset expired when Farrell sent George Ford over, with Simmonds and Jack Nowell adding further late tries.