England Women 56 Italy 13: Reigning champions land comfortable win despite kicking concerns

Here's that 10th and final England try, scored by left wing Amy Wilson Hardy.

The reigning champions look hungry, but know there are a few aspects of their play to iron out ahead of their third and final pool match against USA on Thursday.

Skipper Emily Scarratt says England needed to stick to "all the rugby cliches" to stop put right a few inaccuracies in the first half.

"We're always striving to be better," she says.

There is time for another scrum after Italy's restart does no travel 10 metres. England are happy with their lot, and La Toya Mason kicks into touch to end the game.

England have 10 tries. At their best, they have looked excellent today - and this one was among the pick of their scores. From the restart, the ball came to the left where Amy Wilson Hardy and Danielle Waterman combined. 

It was then spread to the right, and Wilson Hardy followed it to take an inside ball and dart through.

That will hearten Simon Middleton. Danielle Waterman gets her hands on the ball in centre-field and darts past a couple of defenders. Megan Jones then jinks to the outside and sends Lydia Thompson over. Nicely done.

It's all getting slightly scrappy now. England will want to finish with a flourish because a potentially sterner challenge awaits in a few days' time.

Perhaps the most impressive hallmark of this England performance has been how they have used their forward runners. Izzy Noel-Smith storms through off a strike move in midfield, now.

The attack breaks down soon afterwards, but that is encouraging.

England have introduced a raft of replacements. Megan Jones is one of those, and the centre makes some headway in midfield. Waterman is then released on the blindside. She dummies and darts around under the posts.

Amber Reed lands the conversion.

In England's group it looks like USA are pulling away from Spain.

La Toya Mason is on at scrum-half for Natasha Hunt as we reach the final quarter. Meanwhile, Rochelle Clark launches into a carry.

The tries keep coming, and Katy Mclean keeps running the show. The fly-half darts to the line to release a short offload to Scarratt. Today's skipper nearly scores, but Italy resist.

Off the next phase, Mclean transfers the ball to Waterman, who fights over the line. Again, Scarratt's conversion is missed. Might we see Mclean take over the kicking duties as well?

Again it's full-back Manuela Furlan who sparks things for Italy. She bursts from deep and as she tries to link up with a teammate, England are penalised for an early tackle.

Italy go to touch and a monstrous driving maul brings them to within five metres. Number eight Elisa Giordano burrows over! 

Another good shot, here. This attempt from Emily Scarratt was chalked off after the television match official ruled the ball to have been spilled forward.

Mclean is the architect again. England look far more cohesive with her at fly-half. A delayed pop pass sees Scarratt slice over from close range...and then add the conversion. With half an hour remaining, Simon Middleton will want ruthlessness.

Sharp. Katy Mclean is bossing things from first receiver and unleashes Marlie Packer on an inside ball. A neat offload finds Amy Cokayne and Tamara Taylor, who has been outstanding, is in support to cross for England's fifth try.

Emily Scarratt pulls the conversion to the left.

We're back underway. Katy Mclean is on for Rachael Burford with Amber reed pushing out to inside centre.

Marlie Packer has been another stand-out for England, despite her brief period off for a head injury assessment.

Nice snap of Danielle Waterman, here. She's dumbfounded a few defenders already in this game.

Here is Cokayne's try - England's fourth. A straightforward finish for a player of her talent. Note her hanging out in the wide channels as Dane Coles might do.

An intriguing half. England have four tries and the bonus point, but that is probably slightly unfair on their opponents.

Italy full-back Manuela Furlan has launched some potent attacks and troubled Simon Middleton's team. 

One for the forwards, who are beginning to click to excellent results. Alex Matthews tips a short pass to Marlie Packer, who bulldozes to within five metres with a typically powerful burst.

When the ball comes back, Cokayne gathers a long pass to score unopposed. Scarratt's conversion hits the post.

The right decision, for me.

We are currently with the television match official. Emily Scarratt stretched out for the whitewash. Although the referee initially awarded a try, he has asked for a couple of replays to see if the centre lost control...

Around five minutes until half-time in Dublin. England still lead by nine, but Italy have frustrated them with a combative display so far.

Bar a couple of fumbles, England's handling has been decent.

 Meanwhile, Marlie Packer is back on.

England respond almost immediately with a polished try. Amy Cokayne finds Tamara Taylor at a lineout and a muscular maul trucks to within five metres.

Rachael Burford and Danielle Waterman combine to release Thompson, who dots down close to the right touchline. Scarratt's kick falls short, so England are back out to a nine-point advantage.

Superb try. Manuela Furlan ignites another Italy move, which then sees some slick interplay between two props - always a highlight. Scarratt makes a tackle on the left for England but the ball comes back to the right and Furlan feeds wing Maria Magatti. Lovely score. Schiavon cannot add the extras, though.

England conceded just three penalties against Spain. They have already hit that figure this afternoon, which will be a source of annoyance for Simon Middleton.

Perhaps more worryingly, play stops for an injury to Marlie Packer, who leaves the field for a head injury assessment. Harriet Millar-Mills replaces her in the back row. 

Full-back Manuela Furlan has caused England some difficulties and another eye-catching run gets in behind England, who concede a penalty.

Veronica Schiavon adds three points to reduce her team's deficit.

Italy had been enjoying a period of territory but a sweeping England counter brings a second score and a sucker-punch.

Minutes after making a fine cover-tackle, Natasha Hunt ignites a midfield move that sends Wilson Hardy through the middle. 

Burford is back on the ball seconds later and sends Alex Matthews under the posts. Scarratt coverts this time.

Danielle Waterman's kick-return set up that try for England.

It was coming. Italy's kicking has been poor and has not allowed them to escape their own 22.

Another poorly-aimed clearance is gobbled up by Danielle Waterman and taken on by Rachael Burford.

When the ball is recycled briskly, Scarratt powers over close to the right touchline. She cannot covert her own try, but England lead.

Another chance goes begging for the reigning champions. Some punchy forward carries bring space on the left but Wilson Hardy cannot hold on to a floated pass.

So close for England. Italy win a penalty from the second scrum of the game. However, they then miss touch and Marlie Packer charges back at them.

Amy Wilson Hardy is released down the left but is held up so England will have a five-metre scrum...

Here we go. England fly-half Amber Reed, starting in place of Katy Mclean today, gets things underway. Italy collect, try to spread the ball from deep and knock on. 

It's an early scrum for England just outside the opposition 22. This is a golden chance to make a dominant start.

Both sets of players are out and we are into the anthems.

Here are lock Tamara Taylor, representing England in a fourth World Cup, and centre Emily Scarratt, who skippers the side today.

Less than 10 minutes until kick-off now. 

England beat Italy 29-15 this spring on the way to their Six Nations Grand Slam, but - much like their male counterparts - they endured a frustrating afternoon as a fractured game caused plenty of frustration.

New Zealand's Black Ferns are looking in fairly ominous form.

After overturning Wales last week, they disposed of Hong Kong today. A 121-0 win (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-ONE) featured eight (EIGHT) tries for wing Portia Woodman.

Unsurprisingly, she racked up a heap of running metres...but Woodman did also knock the ball on over the line thanks to a fine cover-tackle from Hong Kong scrum-half Jessica Ho. It actually could have been nine.

Our very own Kate Rowan is in place for the game. A reminder of the teams here...

 ...and some insight on today's venue:

Rachael Burford starts at inside centre again for England, winning a 70th cap.

Her distribution and organisation in attack are so important to this team. We took a closer look at how those qualities manifested themselves during the Spain match.

Amy Cokayne, one of the stand-out performers of a stellar year for England, spoke to Kate Rowan before the tournament. 

She gets her first start of the World Cup this afternoon, so make sure to give the interview a read.

Kate Rowan is our reporter out in Dublin for the tournament and she has been listening to England head coach Simon Middleton explain his selection policy for the pool stages.

Everyone will have a chance to impress.

There are starts for influential backs - and close mates - Natasha Hunt and Emily Scarratt as England make a handful of changes.

Up front, Sarah Hunter deployed is on the bench. That means Alex Matthews, a fabulous athlete, gets a run at number eight.

 Italy's match-day squad is listed below. Watch out for scrum-half and captain Sara Barattini, who caused a few problems for England during the Six Nations clash between these teams earlier this year.

Hello, and welcome to our live text commentary of England's second match at the Women's Rugby World Cup against Six Nations rivals Italy.

With half an hour to go, why not remind yourselves of how the reigning champions kicked off their title defence last week. Spain were the opponents in Dublin.