The odds are stacked against Italy, who have conceded a total of 159 points on their three previous Twickenham visits since the tournament's launch in 2000.

And they will encounter an England side that went a long way towards restoring confidence levels through their 42-20 Calcutta Cup thumping of Scotland.

England's dismal 2006 form - they won just three of 11 Tests under Ashton's predecessor Andy Robinson - saw them plunge down the world rankings.

Ashton though, is breathing fresh air through a new-look England side whose Calcutta Cup success was underpinned by fly-half Jonny Wilkinson's remarkable return to international rugby that saw him amass 27 points despite playing most of the game with 14 stitches in a cut lip.

Ashton has made two changes from the Scotland clash, recalling full-back Iain Balshaw, provided he shakes off a groin injury, and handing 28-year-old Harlequins flanker Nick Easter a Test debut instead of injured Wasps forward Joe Worsley.

Italy, meanwhile, have go it all to do after suffering a crushing 39-3 home defeat against France last weekend.

The Italians, whose main Six Nations aim this season was a fierce determination to turn promising performances into successful results, subsided under five French tries, which included a double for Sale Sharks number eight Sebastien Chabal.

And the challenge for Marco Bortolami's team will be to compete with England up-front, while hoping Wilkinson cannot establish a territorial foothold to launch a back division that appears full of tries.

Six Nations history though, suggests England will make it two wins out of two, setting up a showdown with Ireland in Dublin on February 24.