But England, as the old adage goes, earned the right to play before exercising it well in the second half.
Marcus Smith, who started the campaign as England’s attacking talisman but began this match on the bench, was key.
His defensive ability has been questioned, but his tackle on Matt Gallagher early in the second half as the Italy wing loomed out wide was impeccable in intent and execution.
Two minutes later he picked his moment in attack perfectly too, timing his run off Tom Curry’s shoulder to scamper in. A twin-moment, 10-point swing, that critical passage eased the pressure and allow England to loosen up their style.
When Sleightholme dotted down his second it was via a party game of a passing move, with England’s forwards improvising increasingly outlandish offloads.
By then the Italy defence had faded. It was still streets behind the out-worldly handling France showed off in Dublin the day before.
But it was a definite step up by England.
The pluses are multiple for head coach Steve Borthwick.
Fin Smith, sharp shooting off the tee, put in another cool-headed performance at fly-half, pulling strings and making plays.
Fraser Dingwall, forced into an unexpected centre combination by Lawrence’s injury, was smart enough to find a way.
Elliot Daly, the other half of that makeshift midfield, worked the angles superbly. The 32-year-old’s abilities, grey matter as much as fast twitch, will age slowly and well.
Ollie Chessum, Tom Curry and Earl ranged wide, far and effectively. Ben Curry and Chandler Cunningham-South added energy from the bench.
Jamie George felt the love as the crowd took to their feet to clap him on and off the pitch on his 100th appearance for England. He and his front-row colleagues had the best of the set-piece once more.
There will be tougher days and more stringent tests ahead.
Cardiff, on the final day, will probably be one of them.
Wales have stirred themselves under Matt Sherratt. The prospect of wrecking England’s title pretensions, while dodging the Wooden Spoon will brew up an almighty atmosphere under the Principality roof.
The sunlight and support won’t be nearly so plentiful next week. There won’t be much of either for England in that city-centre cauldron. It will be a very different feel.
England’s challenge is to deliver a similar result -and hope France might wobble and the trophy tips unexpectedly their way.
