England remain on course for back-to-back Six Nations grand slams after finding a way to overcome their own poor start and a gritty and inventive Italy with a late surge of tries to secure a 36-15 victory on Sunday.
England were sluggish and error-strewn in the first half and were lucky to trail only 10-5 at halftime, with the home players left scratching their heads by Italy's innovative tactic of not competing at the ruck.
England eventually worked out a way to get round it and finally took command with three tries in the last 10 minutes, including two for replacement wing Jack Nowell.
England top the standings on 13 points after three wins. Ireland, who beat France on Saturday, are second on 10, with Scotland third on nine after a home win over Wales, who are fourth, level on five points with the fifth-placed French.
Italy are last and still seeking their first points.
It was England's 17th successive victory and equalled the record of 10 in a row in the Five/Six Nations.
England looked shaky from the start, dropping simple passes and over-cooking their kicks. Italy punished them with a swarming, determined and clever first half performance.
The hosts did manage to bundle Dan Cole over the line for a try and a 5-0 lead.
Italy's good work was not helped by the wayward kicking of Tommaso Allan, who missed three penalties, although the last of them at the end of the half hit the post and was gathered by Giovanbattista Venditti. That gave Italy a deserved lead at the interval after Allan had earlier landed a drop goal.
The chief halftime talking point was Italy's unusual tactic of not committing players to the breakdown, which ensured there was no ruck and that they could then loiter behind the ball and obstruct the pass without being offside.
England had no idea how to deal with it and when Haskell asked referee Romain Poit for guidance, the Frenchman replied: "I'm a referee, not a coach, you need to find a solution."
England came out far sharper in the second half and a quick tap and go try by Danny Care and another try by Elliot Daly suddenly had them 17-10 up within seven minutes.
Italy struck back as Michele Campagnaro ran through George Ford and left Mike Brown flailing for an excellent try.
England flyhalf Owen Farrell's 50th appearance was one he will want to forget as he missed his first penalty attempt, having failed with two of his three conversions.
England, though, took command as Italy tired. Nowell crossed for the key fourth try and Ben Te'o added the fifth after a great charge by prop Kyle Sinckler.
Nowell then showed his trademark slippery skills to slip through for his second, with Farrell finally finding his range to convert.
England coach Eddie Jones was forthright. "That wasn't rugby," he said. "People should ask for their money back."
"When the nine can't pass the ball, how do you play rugby?"
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