Marco Bortolami, Mirco Bergamasco and Josh Sole all claimed two tries apiece, while fly-half Ramiro Pez contributed 13 points from five conversions and a penalty as Italy strolled to victory in Prato.

The home side opened the floodgates as early as the fifth minute when Bortolami went over for the first try and the Italy captain added his second score of the match just 11 minutes later.

Bergamasco went over for Italys third try soon after and, with the aid of three successful Pez conversions, the Azzurri had established a 21-0 lead after just 21 minutes.

At that point it looked as though Italy would record a mammoth total but Pierre Berbiziers side were unable to add to their lead in the remainder of the first half as Tonga finally managed to plug the early holes in their defence.

But Italy were back on the scoresheet just moments after the half-time break through a Pez penalty and, much as it was in the opening period, it was all Italy after that.

Centre Gonzalo Canale added a fourth try in the 46th minute and two scores from number eight Sole and another try late on from Bergamasco wrapped up the victory.

Berbizier said on www.federugby.it: My players did their best with respect to my instructions. We were outstanding when pressing and this was the key part of the game.

Sergio Parisse as a flanker was good news for me, similarly Ramiro Pez and Paul Griffen who played good games, but overall everybody was good.

Tonga coach Viliami Ofahengaue admitted his side were someway adrift of Italy.

''I saw a good Italy in very good shape, he said.

We knew this was a difficult game and the 48-0 scoreline proves how big the gap is between us and them.''