England went to the top of the Six Nations table with a 52-11 victory away to Italy in Rome on Saturday’s final day of the rugby championship.

But although England scored seven tries their points difference of +73 was still marginally worse than leaders Ireland’s +81.

Ireland are away to France in a night game – the final match of the 2014 Six Nations.

An Ireland victory in Paris – where they’ve won just once since 1972 – will give them the title in star centre Brian O’Driscoll’s final international before retirement.

But a French victory, barring an unlikely colossal thrashing of the Irish, will give England the title.

Equally a draw, the result of the last two France-Ireland Tests, would see England crowned champions.

“We scored some great tries and came here and scored 50 (points), not many teams do that,” England coach Stuart Lancaster told the BBC.

“I am proud of the boys,” added Lancaster, whose side would have been celebrating a Grand Slam but for a last-gasp defeat by France in Paris in their tournament opener.

“Overall we take the bigger picture – the Scotland, Ireland and Wales performances and I don’t think many teams will come here and win like this.

“Italy are a very proud side and they were not going to give it up easily.”

England were 24-6 up at half-time at the Stadio Olimpico after fullback Mike Brown scored two tries and fly-half Owen Farrell also crossed the Italian line.

Then, after Italy were reduced to 14 men by the sin-binning of lock Marco Bortolami, England wing Jack Nowell scored the visitors’ fifth try.

Prop Mako Vunipola’s try then put England 32 points in front at 38-6.

Replacement back Manu Tuilagi marked his first England Test in over a year following a chest injury by adding to England’s try tally before Leonardo Sarto pulled one back for Italy.

The last play of the game saw England captain Chris Robshaw score his side’s seventh try which, with Farrell again converting, completed the victory.

“It’s just a shame we conceded that (Italian) try,” said Robshaw.

“Now we just have to sit and wait,” the flanker added.

Saturday’s second match between two-time defending champions Wales and Scotland in Cardiff has no bearing on the title race.

But Wales, following last week’s 29-18 loss to England at Twickenham, will want to give their home supporters something to cheer in the 100th Test at the Millennium Stadium.