By Bryn Palmer BBC Sport at Twickenham

I just say my own things, and hopefully the boys respond England outclass Canada

Nothing to it, this captaincy lark. Just ask Jason Robinson.

Asked to provide the same inspirational lead as those two warrior forwards Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio, England's great entertainer responded in his own inimitable style.

OK, so it was only Canada, and much greater tests lie ahead, but as an opening statement of intent it was hard not to be impressed.

As well as the first black player to lead England, and the first rugby league convert, Robinson is also the first to captain the side from the back three since wing Mike Harrison at the 1987 World Cup.

Some questioned the wisdom of appointing someone so supposedly distant from the action when it comes to making the crucial calls.

But with England adopting a strategy of all-out attack against limited opponents, Robinson was invariably at the centre of it anyway.

The only time he did not lead from the front was when he came onto the field, graciously allowing lock Danny Grewcock to run out first to mark his 50th cap.

Robinson lives up to his "Billy Whizz" nickname

Thereafter "Billy Whizz" provided a graphic reminder of what England missed when he was allowed to recharge his batteries at home this summer rather than embarking on a thankless trek to the southern hemisphere.

If his predecessors were formidable characters who could send a shudder through the opposition by physical presence alone, Robinson is happy to do things his own way.

"We have moved on," he simply said afterwards. "For me it is not about doing what Lawrence or Martin did, because I am not them.

"I just say my own things, and hopefully the boys respond, and that is what they did today."

When he got the ball, the place lit up England coach Andy Robinson on his namesake Jason

Andy Robinson called his namesake "exceptional" in the lead-up to the game, and was understandably chuffed with his contribution once the action began.

"When he got the ball, the place lit up," the coach noted. "He led from the front, as we expected him to."

After some early fumbling in the opening exchanges, Robinson took it upon himself to effectively put an end to the Canadian challenge as early as the eighth minute.

Taking a long pass from Charlie Hodgson, he found his way to the try-line despite the attentions of three red jerseys in close proximity.

Another five minutes passed, and the lack of tension was noticeable, the atmosphere as flat as a pancake.

Vice-captain Tindall was one of eight try scorers

Suddenly Robinson latched onto Andy Gomarsall's break, bounced off a couple of would-be tacklers, and within seconds Josh Lewsey was over in the left corner.

In the 10 minutes before half-time England played some superb stuff, Robinson sending club-mate Mark Cueto over for a debut try, England's fifth and the pick of their 12 in all.

Robinson finished off another sweet move before the interval, and concluded his 34th cap with another predatory score, his 22nd England try, nine minutes into the second half.

With a hat-trick of tries to his name, his team 46-0 to the good and the man-of-the-match award already his with half an hour left, Robinson departed to a rapturous reception.

Thereafter it was a case of accepting the post-match plaudits, giving due credit to those around him and pointing out that next week might just be a little more taxing.

"This is just the start," he said. "We know it gets a lot tougher next week and South Africa will ask a lot more questions of us. We have to raise the bar in every area."