England have overcome a patchy start to run in four second-half tries and finish their Rugby World Cup preparations with a 37-0 victory over Italy.
With several players being rested, England struggled in the first half, but led 9-0 thanks to three Owen Farrell penalties at St James Park.
But it was one-way traffic in the second half though as Ben Youngs opened the floodgates five minutes after the restart.
Joe Marchant, Ellis Genge and Anthony Watson also scored tries to help England head to Japan full of confidence following three wins and a narrow defeat by Wales in their warm-up campaign.
England begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga on September 22, and will travel in good heart with wins against Wales, Ireland and Italy under their belt - along with a narrow defeat by Warren Gatland's Welsh side.
England thrashed Italy 57-14 in the Six Nations in March and have now won all 26 of the teams' meetings - this one though being the first time they have kept them scoreless.
There was not much for the Italians to take from the game, where they competed bravely but were just outclassed in too many areas.
Italy starts their World Cup campaign against Namibia, but with New Zealand and South Africa also in their pool, their chances of making the quarter-finals for the first time look extremely slim.
Reuters
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