Brian Ashton believes his England side have improved since last weekend's loss to Wales © Getty Images

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Head to Head: Head to head: England scrape home in Rome

Match Pack: Match report: England scrape home in Rome

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Matches: Italy 19 - 23 England

Players/Officials: Paul Sackey

England coach Brian Ashton believes his team were never under serious threat against Italy despite a narrow 23-19 win in Rome. Early tries by wing Paul Sackey and centre Toby Flood, as well as fly-half Jonny Wilkinson kicking 13 points to pass the 1,000-point mark, allowed England to secure their first RBS 6 Nations triumph of the campaign.

However, England almost had their 20-6 interval lead wiped out as Italy cut the deficit to four points with four minutes remaining. "We are quite happy to go away with the victory, even if we wanted to win by a better result," said Ashton.

"Italy is not an easy place to play rugby. But at least we were able to get on the Six Nations scoreboard. I didn't fear we were going to lose. At no stage was I on the sidelines thinking, 'Jesus Christ, we are going to throw this away'. "We finished the game on the Italian line. We learned from last weekend that games end in the 80th minute."

Ashton saw no similarities between last weekend's defeat by Wales at Twickenham and their clash against the Italians at the Flaminio Stadium. England blew a 19-6 lead against Wales last weekend to lose by seven points. "I didn't feel like we watched the same game," he said. "I think the Italian forwards stepped up their game at half-time and what we could not do was to establish field position and that is worrying."

Ashton praised Wilkinson on reaching a milestone and explained the reason he substituted the Newcastle fly-half shortly after the hour mark. "He broke the Six Nations record," said Ashton. "He set up the first try and he did better than against Wales. It was always my intention to give Danny Cipriani some playing time and I know what you are going to say, 'what a great substitution considering Cipriani's kick was shut down (in what led to Italy's only try of the game)'. But Cipriani has a lot of talent and has a long and successful international career in front of him."

Ashton admits his team must improve but is upbeat about their chances when they meet France in two weeks' time. "The disappointment is today we didn't push forward at half-time," he said. "We haven't had the best second halves in the last two games. But I had to make six changes to the team in respect to our opening game and that has not allowed us to get continuity.

"But I'm looking forward to the game against France. It's another challenge and we know we will step up our game."

Ashton explained his reasons for selecting Steve Borthwick to replace Phil Vickery, who had a stomach bug, as captain. "Given the circumstances of the late change, I just thought it was the best decision for the game," he said. "I knew it was going to be a physical game and I felt it was important to have a leader in the front five."

Italy coach Nick Mallett praised his team's second-half performance. "I don't like to lose," said Mallett. "But at 20-6 down at half-time, there was the possibility the team would have lost by a big margin. I am very happy with how my team played in the second half, we played far better rugby."

Mallett was less impressed by his team's start to the game. "I was very frustrated because we gave away 14 points by committing two mistakes," he said. "I think our lineouts have been worse here than in Ireland (last week).

"We have lost the last lineout in the game, which was a good chance for us to maybe do something important."

Sunday's result marked the Azzurri's second defeat of the campaign after their opening loss to Ireland. But Mallett remains optimistic he will soon clinch his first victory in charge of the Azzurri. "I know that if we carry on like this we will soon get a win," he added.

Wilkinson hails Italian job

Jonny Wilkinson poses with ball commemorating his 1000 test points © Getty Images

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Jonny Wilkinson saluted those people who helped get him through "the tough times" after he smashed through the 1,000 points barrier for England. England fly-half Wilkinson kicked three penalties and two conversions as England edged out RBS 6 Nations hosts Italy 23-19 in Rome.

And his overall points tally for England and the British Lions now stands at 1,056, just 34 behind Welshman and current world record holder Neil Jenkins. Wilkinson reached four figures in his 67th Test for England, an international career which stalled for more than three years following the 2003 World Cup because of repeated injury setbacks.

He said: "It is amazing to think I have got to that figure, because I have to remind myself I have been around long enough to do so. I have had a lot of injuries, and it has been the support I've received from other players and guys like Steve Black and John Fletcher at Newcastle.

"These are the people who got me through the tough times, so I owe them my thanks.''

Wilkinson also had words of praise for Danny Cipriani, who replaced him 13 minutes from time and saw a kick charged down that led to Italy claiming a late converted try. Substitute Italian scrum-half Simon Picone proved the beneficiary, but Wilkinson highlighted the Wasps youngster's impressive temperament.

He added: "You could tell he quickly got it sorted in his head. The very next ball, he took it blind and kicked it long into the same space. It closed out the game, and we were crying out for someone to close out the game last week. As you run off and shake hands with a guy of 20 (Cipriani) who is taking your place, it makes you think 'he's the future.'''

England now move on to a Paris appointment with Six Nations favourites France on February 23, and despite Italy "winning'' the second period 13-3, stand-in skipper Steve Borthwick highlighted several red rose positives. Bath lock Borthwick, who took over leadership duties from stomach bug victim Phil Vickery, said: "It is a very good result, one we would have taken at the start of the day.

"We are a side that is growing. The guys will learn from the experience of games like this, and it will make us stronger.''

England Player Ratings:

IAIN BALSHAW: Had little to do in attack or defence as England recorded an overdue RBS 6 Nations away success - 6/10.

PAUL SACKEY: Finished superbly for England's first try after Jonny Wilkinson put him clear and competed keenly throughout - 7.

JAMIE NOON: An impressive midfield contributor after being called up as replacement for Mike Tindall. Strong and direct - 7.

TOBY FLOOD: Scored a second try of the Six Nations campaign when England dominated early on - 7.

LESLEY VAINIKOLO: Had one trademark powerful run just before half-time, but also conceded a penalty that Italy kicked - 6.

JONNY WILKINSON: Reached 1,000 points for England through an assured display, and his team missed him after he went off 13 minutes from time - 8.

ANDY GOMARSALL: Grew frustrated in the second period as England proved unable to retain their grip - 6.

TIM PAYNE: Could not exert the same kind of scrum dominance as Andrew Sheridan, the player he replaced, regularly manages - 6.

MARK REGAN: Relished the close-quarter combat before making way for Lee Mears during the second period - 6.

MATT STEVENS: A late replacement for stomach bug victim Phil Vickery, and he rose to the challenge - 7.

SIMON SHAW: Prominent in all key areas of the forward battle as England's lineout again performed solidly - 7.

STEVE BORTHWICK: Led England well after taking over the captaincy reins from a stricken Vickery, and his team delivered with a win - 7.

JAMES HASKELL: Not as prominent as he was against Wales last weekend, but clearly a long-term back-row option for England - 6.

MICHAEL LIPMAN: Was not found wanting on his first Six Nations appearance as England gained their first tournament away win for two years - 6.

NICK EASTER: Showcased all his experience and directness in meeting the Italian forward challenge head-on - 7.

REPLACEMENTS

LEE MEARS: Took over from Regan as England struggled to close out the game after half-time - 6.

BEN KAY: Had an injury-time run after going on for Shaw - 6.

LUKE NARRAWAY: Replaced a limping Easter in the second period - 6.

RICHARD WIGGLESWORTH: Handed his first cap when he was sent on for Gomarsall after 60 minutes - 6.

DANNY CIPRIANI: The Wasps fly-half's charged-down kick led to a late Italian try that caused England a few flutters - 6.