England got back to winning ways in the U20 Six Nations as they saw off Italy 37-17 in Treviso.
Will Knight’s first-half try was followed by four more in the second half as Lucas Friday, Seb Kelly, Finn Keylock and George Marsh all crossed to secure a comfortable victory.
Italy managed three tries of their own, but England pulled away in the final 20 minutes, wrapping up the bonus point in the process.
Andy Titterrell’s side will now head to La Rochelle to take on a French side going for the Grand Slam.
England enjoyed the better of the early exchanges but saw a few chances go begging, one after a turnover in the Italian 22, while a five-metre lineout drive was cut short for obstruction.
James Pater showed some attacking intent with a darting break down the left on a kick return but his inside ball did not go to hand.
At the other end, Noah Caluori showed all his speed after Italy winger Tommaso Roda had intercepted a pass and looked to be away. Caluori got back and cleared up the danger.
However from the five-metre scrum, Italy found a way through, Pietro Celi opening the scoring as Francesco Braga converted to make it 7-0 after 17 minutes.
A second Italian score was chalked off for obstruction and England finished the first half as they had begun it, in Italian territory.
Their pressure eventually told as Knight brilliantly collected Friday’s pass by his ankles after a five-metre tap penalty.
Keylock converted to make it 7-7 with five minutes remaining in the half and England got back into dangerous territory and went up a man when Luca de Novellis saw yellow for taking out Friday at a ruck close to the line. England took the pragmatic approach and Keylock slotted the easy three for a 10-7 lead at the break.
England started the second half well and used the extra man to open up the space for Tyler Offiah on the left wing. He was stopped short of the line, but two phases later, Friday spotted a gap around the fringes and sniped over. Keylock converted to make it 17-7 after 45 minutes.
Italy hit straight back however, hooker Valerio Pelli getting over, although Braga could not convert.
From the restart, England earned a penalty after some good counter-rucking, Keylock making it 20-12.
But almost immediately, Malik Faissal pounced for Italy’s third try, cutting the deficit back to three points after 52 minutes.
On the hour, England pushed the lead back to two scores when Seb Kelly shrugged off a host of tackles to get over for England’s third try.
Keylock missed the conversion from out wide, but got on the scoresheet himself with just over 10 minutes to go, bringing up the bonus point in the process.
And almost as soon as he had entered the fray, Marsh was the beneficiary of a clever lineout move for England’s fifth as they wrapped up the win.