Henry Slade kicked 17 points and with England possessing a greater points difference they know inflicting a first defeat on Wales in this season's competition will be enough to hang on to their title for another year.

England spurned the chance to take a fourth-minute lead when Slade dragged his penalty attempt wide.

Slade made amends ten minutes later after Italy's fierce defence was finally breached from the tee after a penalty was conceded in front of the posts.

Despite their territorial dominance, England were struggling to find the try-line and when No.8 Jack Clifford broke the gainline his pass fell short of back-row colleague David Sisi.

The pressure finally told when centre Hill took a pass to the left of the posts and dived over the whitewash - adding to his scores against Italy last year in the RBS 6 Nations and the Junior World Championship.

Slade converted to make the score 10-0 and two minutes before the break the impressive wing Nowell, an Exeter team-mate of Hill, crossed the whitewash for a debut try that Slade again converted.

Not to be outdone, Braley marked his first start with a try six minutes after the re-start as England began to make amends for their early failure to cross the line.

With Italy coming under concerted pressure they began to crack and after conceding their first penalty try of the night, Slade added to his haul with the conversion.

Undeterred Italy hit back with replacement Gianmarco Vian crossing for a converted try to reduce the deficit just after the hour mark, Edoardo Padovani converting.

That good work was undone only four minutes later though when a penalty try allowed England to extend their lead to 38-7, Slade having again converted.

Northampton centre Stephenson then registered a try on his home ground after coming off the bench that Slade also converted before Nowell capped a fine debut with his second try of the evening to make it 52-7.