ENGLAND left it very late to kill off the challenge of Italy at Stadio Flaminio in Rome yesterday. England have had a difficult time of it on the road recently. Six consecutive losses away from home, including three in the Six Nations, have signalled as much as anything the malaise which Andy Robinson's side have been trying to arrest this season. Rome seemed as good a place as any to claim a second win of the campaign.

But Pierre Berbizier's Italian side proved stubborn opposition.

Indeed, it wasn't until Charlie Hodgson found space on the left wing 15 minutes into the second half that the England supporters could breath a sigh of relief at an eight-point gap. No matter how hard Italy had defended up to then they never looked like they were seriously going to trouble the England line.

England exerted serious pressure on the Italians from the off but England boss Andy Robinson would have been annoyed at his team's failure to convert such overwhelming pressure into points. In contrast though, Italy were encouraged by their defensive resilience to frustrate the world champions.

England eventually broke through on 26 minutes through a brilliantly-executed try. Lock Steve Borthwick secured quality lineout ball and Hodgson's pass freed centre Mike Tindall on a blistering attacking angle that saw him avoid the Italian defence on his way to the line. Hodgson's conversion further settled the visitors.

There was still little structure to the game though, and Pez reduced the arrears through a 35-metre penalty eight minutes before half-time.

Pez then rifled over a dropgoal from 40 metres, and England knew they certainly had a game on their hands, underlined when Hodgson drifted a drop-goal attempt wide from point-blank range.

Italy came out strongly again in the second half and Pez knocked over a drop-goal but it proved to be Italy's final shout. Hodgson soon scampered over for the all important try and the flood gates opened.

Lawrence Dallaglio come into the fray to a massi=ve cheer from the travelling support and within a minute England went over for another try. This tims it was Mark Cueto who added to his try against Wales last weekend.

But to Italy's credit they continued to fight and tackled tenaciously. They got their just reward when Mirco Bergamasco found some space to run over the England line. It was no more than the home side deserved for a fine performance and they will be looking forward to their next game with serious intent.

A late James Simpson Daniel try put a false gloss on their win.

ITALY C Stoica; P Canavosio, G Canale, Mirco Bergamasco, L Nitoglia; R Pez, P Griffen; S Perugini, F Ongaro, C Nieto, S Dellape, M Bortolami, J Sole, Marco Bergamasco, S Parisse. Subs C Del Fava for Dellape, 56 mins; S Persico for Sole, 56 mins; M Castrogiovanni for Nieto, 64 mins; C Festuccia for Ongaro, 64 mins. A Lo Cicero for Perugini, 68 mins Scorers M Bergamasco try, Pez, 1 pen, 2 drop-goals, 1 con

ENGLAND T Voyce; M Cueto, J Noon, M Tindall, B Cohen; C Hodgson, H Ellis; A Sheridan, S Thompson, M Stevens, S Borthwick, D Grewcock, J Worsley, L Moody, M Corry. Subs J White for Sheridan, 61 mins; L Mears for Thompson, 61 mins; L Dallaglio for Worsley (blood) 65 mins, S Shaw for Grewcock, 69 mins, J Simpson-Daniel for Tindall Scorers Tindall try, Cueto try, Simpson-Daniel try, Hodgson try, 4 cons, pen Referee Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)