Riki Flutey scored two tries and Mark Cueto, Delon Armitage and Joe Worsley also touched down during a rampant performance in front of a passionate home crowd.

"When we do what we did today we look like a good team," said Johnson. "That was great.

"I don't think our intensity level was higher. Our precision level was better - guys saw opportunities and took them.

"I am very happy for the guys and there's a good feeling of satisfaction in the changing room.

"When you lose you are going to get criticised - you know that - and defeat is a very realistic possibility when you are playing France, so it's great."

Defeats to Wales and Ireland have seen England, and captain Steve Borthwick in particular, come under fire from fans and media alike, but he and his charges responded in some style.

“I don't think he has to answer criticism, but I am happy for him that all the heartache he has had has paid off,” Johnson said.

"It just showed that when we executed what we wanted to do we could open them up and score tries.

"The guys have confidence in what we are doing and to turn them into clinical tries was great. The coaching staff have put a lot of work in.

"There are still lots of improvements to make, but in the heat of the game there are always going to be mistakes and it's minimising them."

England, who scored all their points in the first 42 minutes, knew going into the game that their hopes of the championship were already over.

But, having ended France's chances and set up a decider between Wales and Ireland in Cardiff, Johnson said that next Saturday's visit of Scotland was still "a big game”.

He added: "It will be a tough, tough test. Scotland are very competitive and  if they'd taken their chances against Wales it could have been very different. This championship has been fantastic and we will enjoy tonight."