To perpetuate the cricketing analogy deployed by Eddie Jones after a stuttering win over Italy on Sunday, the end result – a 36-15, bonus-point victory for his team – is in the book. In years to come, the scoreline alone will hold no clues as to how an odd encounter unfolded and just how ugly England made their runs.

The post-match press conferences were refreshingly forthright. But whether you sympathise with Jones’ irritation or associate more keenly with the fierce self-defence of Azzurri coach Conor O’Shea, the central narrative was irrefutable.

This game saw an extremely limited side cleverly capitalise upon rugby’s breakdown laws to unsettle their more talented opponents. And, until England regrouped at half-time, it worked very well.

Taking advantage of World Rugby’s ruck definition, outlined below, is nothing new.