So it was little wonder he felt entirely at home after coming on to make his international union debut against Italy on Saturday with white shirts carving through blue holes like a knife through gorgonzola in England’s 80 23 triumph.

The crowd even reserved a roar for his introduction mighty enough to drown out the jets which pass over Twickenham on route to nearby Heathrow — proof enough that five years of professionalism has swept away the century of acrimony between the two rugby codes.

Robinson scampered and scurried along the three quarter line with obvious relish but received just one pass to hand in the half hour he was allowed and made just one break to suggest the damage he is capable of wreaking.

He also arrived just as England had broken free of an uncharacteristic torpor, which lasted the best part of 50 minutes and could only be put down to complacency.

Even so half an hour in the presence of the formidable power of England’s backs was enough to whet Robinson’s appetite to want more, much more.

‘‘It was good to find out what the standard was like,’’ said Robinson.

‘‘This is a team I would look forward to playing in week in and week out. I know there are people in front of me in the pecking order, but it is up to me to beat them.

‘‘I’m not there mentally yet. I’m a step behind everybody but that is natural, the more I play the more I’ll learn.

‘‘And I was really encouraged to hear that roar. I didn’t know how the public would take to me because the switch is still only recent. But it was a great moment and a fantastic atmosphere.’’

As it happened you could almost feel the thrill and anticipation as the ball went Robinson’s way on several occasions only for a wayward pass or the likes of Lawrence Dallaglio to pop up unexpectedly to snatch a debut try away from the little wing.

There is no doubt a big future in union awaits the twinkling feet of Sale’s Robinson — just as England, as they also showed against Wales a fortnight ago, have awesome three quarter firepower.

The speed and invention of precocious two try full back Iain Balshaw was a revelation, the menace of two try wing Austin Healey and Ben Cohen always apparent and the play making genius and precision kicking of Jonny Wilkinson quite devastating.

England manager Clive Woodward insisted Wilkinson was ‘‘the best number 10 in the world’’ and no one could argue with that description over these past six months — 13 goals from 14 attempts, plus a typical darting fly half try, giving him a Championship record for an individual of 35 points. But we should treat any record breaking euphoria — and, to be fair, there was precious little from an England side as pragmatic as they are powerful — with some caution.

Italy did not come to Twickenham to surrender, they came to scrap, harry and hustle. And, in a first half of home errors and Azzurri passion, England were made to look a shade less than ordinary as the forwards were more than matched for aggression and technique.

Italy’s New Zealand coach Brad Johnstone summed up England’s lopsided performance perfectly. ‘‘In the first half they were down there with Italy,’’ said Johnstone. ‘‘In the second half they were up there with Australia.’’

The downside will have given Ireland and Scotland a measure of confidence that they can prevent a Grand Slam.

Fancy that — a side wins by a record number of points and a record margin and gives the rest hope. It could only happen in this intriguing championship.

No wonder the southern hemisphere want to join the party.