Rugby news - England cruise past Italy 57-14 to stay in title hunt

England were in total control throughout as tries by Jamie George, Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi and Brad Shields had the bonus point in the bag and a 31-7 lead by halftime, with Tommaso Allan grabbing the visitors' lone score.

Tuilagi, whose last international try came against Italy five years ago, added his second after the break, with lock George Kruis, replacement scrumhalf Dan Robson and Shields also crossing.

After their 18-11 win over Scotland, Wales top the standings with 16 points, but no bonus points. England have 15 and a massive points difference advantage over the Welsh and Ireland, who are third on nine points ahead of their home game against France on Sunday.

If Wales win their last game at home to Ireland they will complete the Grand Slam but a defeat would mean an England victory over Scotland in the final game of “Super Saturday” at Twickenham, where the Scots have not won for 36 years, would be enough to lift the title unless Ireland rack up two huge bonus-point wins.

Italy host France next week already assured of finishing last for the fourth season in a row after Saturday’s 21st successive defeat in the competition and their 25th in 25 meetings with England.