England manager Martin Johnson looked forward to the tougher challenges ahead after easing himself into his new job with Saturday's 39-13 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

After months of shuffling names on paper and studying videos, Johnson and his coaching team have something to build on before the next match against Australia and the subsequent tests against South Africa and New Zealand.

"We won the game, scored five tries and defended pretty well. The guys in the back three played very well so we are in a pretty good place and looking forward to next week," Johnson said of the game against a Wallaby side who beat Italy 30-20.

"The guys know it's going to be a step up against a team who have played together in the Tri-Nations and will be better organised than the Islanders, who only had a week together."

There were certainly plenty of encouraging signs for Johnson on Saturday, not least the assured display of his four starting debutants.

Athletic lock Nick Kennedy, brought in specifically for his line-out skills as England seek to win more first-phase ball after the clampdown on refereeing of the breakdown, did just that and also weighed in with a try.

Wing Ugo Monye was razor-fast in attack while Riki Flutey looked at home at inside centre. However, the player who most caught the eye was full-back Delon Armitage, with a man-of-the-match performance.

Assured under the high ball and in the tackle he was also dangerous in attack and showed great awareness to loop an inside pass to Paul Sackey for the first of the winger's two tries.

With nine players having worn the number 15 shirt in 18 months, Armitage now has the chance to nail down the position.

"I always wanted to play for England and show what I can do in front of a big crowd," said the 24-year-old.