Finally, this was the moment when England’s words matched their deeds, at least in terms of their attacking endeavour. Steve Borthwick has consistently talked about his side’s determination to play a high-tempo game that harnesses the athletic prowess of their back five and the speed of their back three.

England has kept alive its Six Nations rugby title hopes by running in seven tries in a bonus-point 47-24 win over Italy at Twickenham that extended its perfect all-time test record against the Azzurri.