Six Nations 2011: England v Italy - in pictures

Nice hats, shame about the legs Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A colourful Italian fan snaps away Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Whereas this fan makes a political point Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

A proud, but possibly shy, Italian fan sings the national anthem Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Three equally proud smurfs belt out the national anthem Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

England's coach Martin Johnson enjoys the sunshine before battle commences Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The England players huddle before kick-off Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

That must have been some words of encouragement that England's captain Mike Tindall gave his team as just two minutes in Toby Flood breaks though the Italian defence ...
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... before passing to Chris Ashton, who sprints towards the tryline, and then has a quick check that there's nobody around that'll catch him... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... so that he can do what he's been told not to do Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Alex Corbisiero, right, on his debut faces up to Martin Castrogiovanni for the first scrum Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Chris Ashton's dive over the line for England's second try is a lot less theatrical Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Just five minutes later, it's 22-6. There's a lovely interchange between Dylan Hartley and Flood. Mark Cueto is on the inside, receives the ball and goes over the line. It's no wonder he's smiling, it's his first try in 19 Tests Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

It's beginning to look like a rout might be on the cards, so it's no wonder Andea Masi is holding his head Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

It gets even better five minutes later and Twickenham is in raptures. Nick Easter makes a fantastic backhand pass to Tindall ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... who goes over the line despite the close attention of Mirco Bergamasco. That makes it 29-6 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

England start off the second half as they did the first, Banahan receives the ball from Flood and charges towards the line but is stopped a yard short. However Chris Ashton is on hand to pick up the ball and dive over the line for his hat-trick and England are 30 points ahead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

The England pack drive forward led by Louis Deacon, left, and Dan Cole, centre Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Just before the hour mark, replacement Danny Care bursts through and dives over the line. That's try number 6
Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Jonny Wilkinson, on for Toby Flood, lines up a conversion before making it 45-6 Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

James Haskell receives the ball from Shontayne Hape then thunders through a non-existent Italian defence to bring up England's half century Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

With five minutes to go Matt Banahan charges through before offloading to Ashton who streaks away ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

... before doing what is rapidly becoming his trademark Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Dejected Italians after England's eighth try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer

Zara Phillips gives her fiance and his team-mates a thoroughly deserved round of applause at the end of the game. It was a fantastic performance by England in their 59-13 victory and Chris Ashton becomes the first player to score four tries in a single match in the history of the Six Nations Photograph: Tom Jenkins for the Observer