But while 2003 World Cup heroes such as Jonny Wilkinson and Jason Robinson will now command the headlines after sharing 37 of England’s points, Ashton knows his team has only taken one small step on a long road back to achieving consistent success.

Ashton’s first game at the helm enhanced a feelgood factor generated from the moment he replaced Andy Robinson five days before Christmas.

And while Italy, who were swept aside by France yesterday, are unlikely to provide a significant challenge, a far bigger threat will soon arrive in the shape of Ireland at Croke Park.

Ashton said: “The worst result for us was Italy getting thumped by France. They will come to Twickenham pretty determined, I would think, to put in a much better performance.

“They can put a pack out that is pretty strong, Six Nations-wise. For us, we need to put our foundations in place again, and then see what happens.

“I’ve got faith in the players we have got on the pitch that they can take the game forward.

“We were a bit slow to get out of the blocks (against Scotland), but once we picked up our game to a dynamic driving game, we started to create some space for the midfield backs and the match changed quite dramatically.

“The down-side was our ill-discipline. The penalty count was not acceptable.

“We actually gave away too many soft penalties, which is the annoying thing. It is bad enough giving away a penalty, but when I suspect 50% of those could have been avoided, the better sides will kill you.

“We’ve got a long way to go. There were glimpses of the sort of challenging team game we want to play, but we need to put a game together that is going to challenge opposition sides for 80-plus minutes, and we didn’t do that.

“Scotland had their moments and put us under pressure, but given it was the first outing for our guys, it was a reasonably satisfying performance.”

Apart from flanker Joe Worsley’s 65th-minute exit – Ashton’s initial thought suggested the Wasps forward had a neck problem – and Wilkinson suffering a badly cut lip, England reported no immediate injury problems ahead of meeting up at Bath University.

And it could well be a case of same-again when Ashton names his side to face Italy, possibly tomorrow.

With Wilkinson moving effortlessly back into the driving seat, claiming a Calcutta Cup record 27 points, Ashton was fully justified in recalling the Newcastle fly-half, despite him playing barely 45 minutes’ rugby in 12 weeks before his eagerly-awaited Twickenham return.

Ashton added: “I was convinced in my mind that if Jonny said to me he was ready to play international rugby in every sense – medically, technically, tactically, physically – then I would have no hesitation in choosing him.

“In terms of his generalship of the game, I thought he was good.

“The amount of communication Jonny and Andy Farrell give is quite staggering, and it was pretty evident at certain times in the game that was going on.

“His (Wilkinson’s) footwork going to the line is really good now. He takes defenders on and moves them around, which creates doubt in defenders’ minds and opens space for other people around him.

“And his passing is spot-on – technically, it is excellent. He can fire a pass from anything between five and 15 metres with unerring accuracy off both hands.

“Jonny is a world-class player. He won’t be happy because he missed two kicks, but in either code of rugby he would be a world-class player, and I think everyone recognises that.”