England eased the pressure on manager Martin Johnson by launching its Six Nations campaign with a priceless 30-17 win over Wales at Twickenham.
But there were many uneasy moments for Johnson to endure as Wales threatened a stirring revival from 20-3 adrift.
It got to within three points before England flanker James Haskell's second try - sparked by a Delon Armitage interception - meant Johnson could finally breathe easily.
Tries either side of half-time from Haskell and halfback Danny Care put England in charge, and Jonny Wilkinson completed the job with 15 points from his prodigious left boot.
It meant England staved off a fourth successive Six Nations defeat against Wales.
Wales, whose last Twickenham visit in 2008 kick-started a Grand Slam campaign, fell short of the standards demanded by head coach Warren Gatland, despite tries for prop Adam Jones and centre James Hook.
Its lineout was a shambles, and lock Alun-Wyn Jones' first-half yellow card for foul play saw England critically score 17 points in his absence.
Stephen Jones kicked a penalty and two conversions, yet an often inaccurate Wales was ultimately punished.
England, for all the bold suggestions of a sharper attacking edge through Care, Armitage and centre Mathew Tait, never threatened to hit top gear.
But in truth, it did not have to, as Wales made far too many mistakes to be competitive at the business end of a frustratingly error-strewn encounter.
Wales returned to the scene of its memorable 26-19 fightback victory two years ago without four injured Lions - Gethin Jenkins, Matthew Rees, Mike Phillips and Dwayne Peel - but England was also hit by fitness troubles.
Lions centre Riki Flutey missed out due to a thigh problem, so Toby Flood deputised in midfield, while Flood's bench deputy - former Bradford Bulls rugby league star Shontayne Hape - was laid low by a stomach bug, meaning a late call for Leicester's Dan Hipkiss.
Wales dominated early territory as flanker Martyn Williams gave it momentum in attack, although both sides appeared riddled with nerves, unable to prosper in the final attacking third.
Wilkinson booted England into an 11th-minute lead after Wales forward Andy Powell was punished for being off his feet in a ruck, yet there remained little to choose between the sides.
England had started to exert some dominance at the lineout, taking three of Wales' first five throws, but its indiscipline at an attacking scrum - prop David Wilson was punished - blew a promising position.
Wales had two long-range penalty chances during the opening 22 minutes, yet both were sent wide by centre James Hook as neither team settled.
Jones replaced Hook when Wales gained another long-range chance 13 minutes before the break, and he found the target with an equalising strike.
But England finished the half totally in charge, helped by reckless foul play from Wales lock Alun-Wyn Jones.
Jones' trip on England hooker Dylan Hartley had a deflating effect on his team, who conceded 10 points in his absence.
Wilkinson applied an immediate punishment, kicking the resulting penalty, but worse was to come for Wales as Jones pondered his woeful indiscipline from his seat in the stand.
Despite some heroic defensive work, especially from Wales prop Adam Jones, Wales could not hold England out and Haskell stretched over for a close-range try.
Wales initially did well to thwart England's efforts, before Haskell squeezed through the combined challenge of halfback Gareth Cooper and