Rampant England stormed to the top of the world rankings with a crushing 45-11 Six Nations victory over Ireland at Twickenham.

They needed a 16-point winning margin to move above New Zealand in the official Zurich world rankings, and they delivered the goods with a commanding performance.

Ireland had been brimming with confidence following a record 54-10 victory over Wales and the destruction of England's Grand Slam bid in Dublin just four months ago.

They even felt they were in with a shout of Grand Slam glory themselves this time around, but this proved little more than wishful thinking as, in an awesome opening half, Clive Woodward's side took a stranglehold on the Six Nations Championship, Jonny Wilkinson scoring one of England's six tries in his 20-point haul.

England were looking for a 14th consecutive Twickenham victory, and Ireland were the last Celtic country to win at Twickenham - Simon Geoghegan's try securing a 13-12 success in 1994. So the scene was sxety, and given some added spice when fly-half David Humphreys kicked the visitors in front after nine minutes.

Ireland had lost wing Geordan Murphy through injury before Wilkinson levelled the scores from his first shot at goal. Then tt was England's turn to lose a player through injury, Graham Rowntree's departure heralding veteran loose-head Jason Leonard's arrival and his 100th appearance in Test match rugby.

Ireland continued to show promise and might have restored their advantage two minutes later. But this time Humphreys sent the angled 22-metre penalty chance wide of the mark.

England were still creating chances however and Cohen almost scored in the corner, and within 60 seconds Ben Kay and Steve Thompson combined majestically and Wilkinson scorched into space for his third international try.

The Newcastle fly-half converted, and there was more to come within two minutes as England cut Ireland open from deep.

Wing Austin Healey ran menacingly, and possession was shipped through the hands of centre Mike Tindall, flanker Richard Hill, number eight Joe Worsley and scrum-half Kyran Bracken before Cohen finished off a stunning 70-metre move.

Wilkinson again added the conversion, and despite Humphreys kicking his second penalty, England were in control and it was no surprise when they added their third try seven minutes before the break.

Thompson's wonderful running was again to the fore, freeing Cohen in space, and his inside pass found centre Will Greenwood, who galloped clear and handed Wilkinson a simple conversion for a 24-6 advantage.

There was still time for rampant England to claim another try before the break, Thompson charging clear from a line-out and putting Worsley over in the corner, breaking centre Kevin Maggs' tackle.

Wilkinson booted the conversion and England were effectively home and dry at 31-6 ahead.

Ireland were in grave danger of suffering a record defeat against England - 46-6 was their previous worst loss at Lansdowne Road five years ago - and the second period began badly when Wilkinson's brilliant pass changed the direction of England's attack and Kay sprinted 30 metres for his first Test try.

Greenwood cruised over for England's sixth try after 56 minutes but to Ireland's credit they refused to give in and Ronan O'Gara, a half-time substitute, breached England's line to reduce the deficit.

The visitors then twice went close to putting a further gloss on the scoreline only to spill the ball within sight of the line as England failed to live up to their own high standards.