FLY-HALF phenomenon Jonny Wilkinson produced a record-breaking performance to lead England on another Six Nations points spree, then declared: ''I've got my weaknesses.''

Wilkinson claimed three landmark feats as the title holders and tournament favourites ruthlessly carried out an anticipated Italian demolition job.

His 35-point haul proved the highest individual total in championship history, passing Ronan O'Gara, who posted 30 for Ireland against Italy last season.

Wilkinson's nine conversions eclipsed the previous best of eight, set 91 years ago by Welshman Jack Bancroft, while he now has 187 championship career points, two more than previous joint-English record holders Rob Andrew and Paul Grayson.

It all left England boss Clive Woodward hailing Wilkinson as the world's best No 10, still more than three months short of his 22nd birthday.

''I can't think of anything that he cannot do - he had a fantastic game,'' said Woodward, whose team registered the highest Six Nations score and biggest winning margin.

Ironically, Wilkinson's one missed kick from 14 attempts - the conversion of an injury-time Lawrence Dallaglio try - denied him another milestone, Grayson's 36-point, all-time England record.

Typically though, Newcastle prodigy Wilkinson was more concerned with the team performance than any personal heroics.

''It's great when people as high up as Clive say things like that about you. It is a brilliant feeling,'' he admitted. ''I was pleased with what I did out there, and I allowed myself a pat on the back for some of the kicks that went over.

''I want to keep getting better and better, but I have got my weaknesses and there is still a long way to go.''

Wilkinson's goalkicking was solely responsible for giving England an interval lead following a first half that engaged the capacity 75,000 Twickenham crowd in some collective, unexpected head-scratching.

England, 1/150 favourites with one major bookmaker, trailed 20-17 after 30 minutes, courtesy of Italian try scorers Denis Dallan and Carlo Checchinato capitalising on blindside defensive weaknesses.

Full-back Andrea Scanavacca admirably played his part, booting both touchline conversions and rifling over a penalty hat-trick by the break.

England had to content themselves with an Austin Healey double, the second touchdown controversially awarded by video referee Clayton Thomas, Iain Balshaw's first Test try and 18 Wilkinson points.

''The half-time score (33-23) was about right. We made a lot of mistakes and Italy played impressively well,'' Wilkinson added.

''We could have been much better. We are a better side than we showed but we stepped it up in the second half and wore them down.''

Seven more tries - Balshaw, Dallaglio, Ben Cohen, Will Greenwood, Mark Regan, Joe Worsley and Wilkinson the beneficiaries - produced a 47-0 second-half scoreline as England marched on in pursuit of a first Grand Slam since 1995.

And contrary to popular opinion, there was no half-time rollicking from Woodward after arguably's England poorest 40-minute display since Scotland ambushed them at Murrayfield last season.

''Not a lot needed to be said,'' said Woodward. ''The players didn't need us to rant and rave, because they knew what had gone wrong.

''The intensity wasn't quite there, but we got it back in the second half, played great rugby and scored some fantastic tries.

''We can look forward to meeting Scotland in a fortnight's time now, having played two, won two.

''But we are nowhere near as good as some people make us out to be. The first half showed that we can be totally vulnerable unless we get it spot on.''

Woodward's astute use of his substitutes - notably hooker Regan and flanker Worsley - ensured England maintained irresistible momentum, especially during the final 17 minutes, when they racked up 33 points.

''The starting XV didn't lay down any authority, but the guys who went on all played really well,'' conceded Dallaglio. ''It was a classic game of two halves, and showed that there is still a long way to go in the development of our game.''

Having romped to a record win in Cardiff two weeks earlier, England assumed that Italy would go the same way as Wales - quickly and painlessly.

But a combination of too much aimless sideways movement, poor tackling and a superb Italian team effort meant it was a genuine contest for much longer than most people expected.

Even without star half-backs Diego Dominguez (injured) and Alessandro Troncon (suspended), Italy gave everything until England's superior fitness, skill and finishing power finally told.

The undoubted highlight was a stunning 70-metre solo score by Balshaw, whose handling error under pressure had earlier created a platform for Checchinato's touchdown.

But how Wilkinson's fellow 21-year-old made amends, showcasing his devastating counter-attacking ability through a blistering break that left Italian defenders clutching thin air.

''Austin Healey just flipped the ball up, I looked ahead, and thought 'let's have a go'. I was pretty exhausted by the time I got to their line though,'' said Balshaw.

How 51st-minute substitute Jason Robinson would have relished such an opportunity.

The former Wigan and Great Britain rugby league star hardly got a touch, although his one chance almost took him clear after he danced and weaved in trademark fashion off both feet, only to be clobbered by the solitary remaining Italian tackler.