England launched their European autumn series with a commanding 54-12 win over Fiji at Twickenham on Saturday.
Stuart Lancaster’s men outscored Fiji seven tries to two and the match was all but over as a contest at half-time with England 25-0 up.
England’s fifth win in as many Tests against Fiji, battling to overcome issues of player release for this tour, was also their record margin of victory over the Pacific Islanders, surpassing the 35-point gap they recorded in a 58-23 success at Twickenham in 1989.
Gloucester winger Charlie Sharples scored his first two tries for England, who also saw Harlequins winger Ugo Monye and blindside flanker Tom Johnson touch down in a tally that also included a penalty try and two late scores by Manu Tuilagi.
Outside-half Toby Flood kicked 17 points.
Fiji avoided the embarrassment of being ‘nilled’ when scrum-half Nikola Matawalu scored a fine solo try in the 54th minute and replacement Seko Kalou crossed in the final minute.
Sterner challenges will confront England when southern hemisphere giants Australia (November 17), South Africa (November 24) and world champions New Zealand all visit Twickenham on successive weekends.
If England maintain their top four position in the International Rugby Board rankings, the 2015 World Cup hosts will be among the top seeds when the pool stage draw for the global showpiece takes place next month.