Considering Perth saved its first significant rain for months for the launch of the World Cup campaign, it is perhaps understandable there was the merest flake of rust in England's performance.

But as the marker Clive Woodward's men had promised they would lay down, this triumph also came coated in toughened steel.

Twelve tries, including two each from master finishers Ben Cohen and Will Greenwood, and the highest score of this World Cup so far were evidence that this England machine is relentlessly on course to justify its tag as favourites.

After watching Pool C rivals South Africa humble Uruguay 72-6 England were eager to supply equally solid evidence of their formidable power. It could hardly have been more convincing.

Woodward declared himself satisfied, and he also paid tribute to Georgia, who proved brave, committed opponents and relished the forward combat.

Skipper Martin Johnson added: ''It was hard work in the scrums and mauls. At times, it was tough.

''There were some big tackles that came in, and they caused a few problems. It was a tough game, despite the scoreline.

''We didn't concede a try, and some of our targets were achieved. A lot of our guys needed a run-out, and we will be better for it next week.''

They were even able to rest Jonny Wilkinson after only 45 minutes, by which time the world's most prolific fly-half had landed two penalties and five conversions for a tally of 16 points.

The measure of the rout can be seen in the tackle count - gallant Georgia, run off their feet by the hour mark, were forced to make 194 tackles against 41 by England.

However, it is important to keep things in perspective. Georgia, a former Soviet state, formed their first rugby team as recently as 1959 - and progress has been punctuated by matters such as invasion.

Being at this World Cup is success alone for a side made up of students studying geography, tourism and wine-making, plus a sprinkling of professionals, most of whom play in France.

They are all on an allowance of just 40 dollars a day for this tournament.

Quite how they managed two nights out drinking beer with some of their supporters at a Subiaco pub last week on that budget is anyone's guess - but they are clearly here to enjoy themselves.

Woodward's men, on the other hand, are here to take home the Webb Ellis Trophy.

It took Wilkinson just three minutes and two seconds to land his first penalty.

It is a sight viewers should get used to these next six weeks, though he will not strike one more sweetly than Georgian wing Malkhaz Urjukashvili, who levelled the scores five minutes later.

It was easy to fault Georgia's technique. After all they had been practising their line-out on the Perth sidewalks, but you could not fault the way they threw themselves into battle and there were times in that first-half when England struggled to make headway .

Inevitably, however, it was a long raking pass from Wilkinson which set up the first try, Mike Tindall sweeping over.

They followed that with further first-half tries from Matt Dawson, a darting presence at the base of the scrum, the bulldozing Steve Thompson and the ubiquitous Neil Back, who exploited some sloppy Georgian play at another scrum to dive on the loose ball.

It sent England in with a lead of 34-3 after a first-half notable for the 107th Test cap of prop Jason Leonard, who came on while running repairs were done to Trevor Woodman.

The England pack demonstrated their superior power with a pushover try five minutes into the second-half, claimed by Lawrence Dallaglio.

Wilkinson added the conversion before being replaced by Paul Grayson, whose first contribution was to miss an admittedly difficult conversion after a leaping try in the corner from Will Greenwood.

Further tries from Mark Regan and two from Cohen followed before Greenwood crashed over again, at the same time taking a blow in an area boxing commentator Reg Gutteridge used to call 'South of the border.'

A quick fumble, a count to two and a thumbs-up told the crowd Greenwood would live to fight another day, though in truth Georgia were by now on their knees - England scoring at will with more touchdowns coming from Jason Robinson, who had a quiet game, and replacement Dan Luger, on for Tindall.

Georgian fly-half Paliko Jimsheladze's lone second-half penalty was scant reward for their bravery - but courage is never sufficient at this level.

It must be accompanied by power, talent, experience and unfaltering conviction, all of which England possess in bucketloads.

So Woodward's men will go into their first serious test against the Springboks next Saturday with confidence soaring. One down and six to go