Dallaglio's England had the measure of the Azzurri.

By Ben Parsons

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The champions are back in action.

England's thrice-beloved men in white are back where they belong - not in a royal line-up or sipping Chardonnay with Cherie, but showing us what they're made of on the rugby field.

The Stadio Flaminio was a sell-out, and the expectant crowd got what it paid for - in flashes at least.

Some of the faces were different, but the story was the same.

England dominated, ruthlessly and efficiently.

Robinson got an electrifying hat-trick. England mustered seven tries in total. Paul Grayson came out of Wilkinson's shadow and did a good job at fly-half.

The Azzurri had the first crack at the world champions, and they came away smarting.

England never really extended themselves. They showed their class. The performance was a brisk walk, a warm-up for the real action.

It gave Sir Clive Woodward a chance to tinker, to experiment with debutants and put his old war-horses through their paces.

In fact, he made so many changes that you could be forgiven for thinking that Sven-Goran Eriksson had made a switch to the 15-man game.

That did not show much respect for the Italians - but they did not acquit themselves well, for all their promise.

They never seriously challenged the English, and in the last 20 minutes they seemed to have lost interest altogether.

Their best chance of avoiding the wooden spoon is against Scotland at home in March, but they will have to show a lot more heart than this if they are to avoid a whitewash.

England face Scotland next week, in what will be a tougher game than Sunday's, but on this showing surely cannot lose.

Playing the tight, controlled rugby which is their trademark will suit the Scots' strengths.

But with their opponents looking extremely vulnerable in the three-quarters, Woodward has the opportunity in Murrayfield to allow his backs to let rip.

Robinson is probably the most devastating runner in the world game. The way he left Rima Wakarua for dead for his first try took the breath away. Scotland simply do not have the ability - whether tactically or physically - to contain the Sale man.

Lewsey and Balshaw both look hungry for points, while Will Greenwood is an expert try-poacher.

If England exert themselves, next Saturday's game could be over after 20 minutes.

It is not the fixture to make England raise their game. We will not see the best this team can offer for some weeks to come.