JONNY Wilkinson delivered another record-breaking performance at Twickenham, but England laboured to a painful RBS 6 Nations victory over annual wooden spoon favourites Italy. The England out-half booted five penalties to overtake former Wales star Neil Jenkins as the all-time highest points scorer in Five or Six Nations history.

Wilkinson's new mark - which now stands on 421 points - could not deflect from an England display punctuated by handling mistakes, poor tactical kicking and a chronic lack of quick ball.

Wilkinson inevitably kicked his goals, but the Newcastle star's general play lacked authority, while England were comfortably matched in the scrums and around the pitch.

Centre Andy Farrell was England's most accomplished player. The former Great Britain rugby league skipper's organisation helped England through several sticky moments as the world champions coughed and spluttered.

Apart from wing Jason Robinson's well-worked firsthalf try, England were devoid of ideas in attack, and Italy encountered few problems absorbing their threat, soaking up pressure as if a giant sponge had enveloped Twickenham. Italy 'won' the second period 7-6, and England must take a long, hard look at themselves, especially in the forwards, where their pack lacked punch and power.

And they will also need to look again at their attacking options, which were not helped by full-back Iain Balshaw's 37th-minute departure through injury.

England were slow out of the blocks, even allowing for Wilkinson's third-minute penalty that saw him overhaul Jenkins. Wilkinson slotted another penalty 11 minutes later, but a muted Twickenham atmosphere reflected the low-key nature of an errorstrewn opening quarter.

Italy had enough possession to ensure England were pinned in their own half for long periods, although the visitors benefited from a wayward kicking game and Balshaw's poor defensive work. Wilkinson added a third penalty, but having held the world champions to such an impressive degree, Italy lost their way during the closing three minutes of the half.

Skipper Marco Bortolami was sin-binned by Welsh referee Nigel Owens for a professional foul, and quickly recycled possession meant England knew they could strike out wide, and the impressive Farrell's long pass was flicked on by Josh Lewsey, sending Robinson over.

Wilkinson failed to land the touchline conversion, but England trooped off 14-0 clear at the interval, in charge of the game without remotely hitting top gear. Wilkinson got England moving again with a 56th-minute penalty but Italy kept plugging away, frustrating their opponents at every turn. And the visitors gained their reward after 65 minutes when a flowing move ended in Andrea Scanavacca touching down unopposed.

The out-half converted and, although England strove to finish with a flourish - Brian Ashton made a triple substitution that summed up his frustration - they had to be satisfied with another Wilkinson penalty.

ENGLAND Balshaw, Lewsey, Tindall, Farrell, Robinson, Wilkinson, Ellis, Freshwater, Chuter, Vickery, Deacon, Grewcock, Easter, Lund, Corry Subs Tait for Balshaw, 37 mins; Flood for Tindall, 67 mins; White for Freshwater, 69 mins; Mears for Chuter, 69 mins; Palmer for Grewcock, 69 mins; Rees for Easter, 76 mins ITALY De Marigny, Robertson, Canale, Bergamasco, Dallan, Scanavacca, Troncon, Lo Cicero, Festuccia, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, Sole, Zaf"ri, Parisse Subs Pratichetti for Dallan, 27 mins; Perugini for Lo Cicero, 58 mins; Bernabo for Dellape, 70 mins; Mandelli for Zaf"ri, 75 mins Sin Bin:

Bortolami, 37 mins Referee N Owens (Wales)