Foden's mark - taken under extreme pressure from the charging Nick Williams - and resultant free kick gave the full back the opportunity to break past the first line of defence. Refusing to let the ball go to ground Foden found the supporting runner, and the ball was worked quickly along the line by Soane Tonga'uiha and Dylan Hartley to Courtney Lawes.

He in turn showed impressive pace and alertness to find Ashton, and the wing rounded Julien Laharrague to score by the posts. Stephen Myler added the conversion and Saints were off and running.

Myler's kicking out of hand was even more impressive, and a massive spiralling penalty put Saints on the Aironi line in the next passage of play. But although they conceded a pair of penalties for pulling down consecutive attacking lineouts, the Italian fringe defence held firm.

Indeed it had been the visitors who had had the first opportunity of points, a sliced Ludovic Mercier penalty in the fifth minute. And although they asked questions of the home defence Saints' control of proceedings tightened at the end of the first quarter.

This time the rolling maul did its job; Saints changing the point of attack repeatedly to try and find a weak spot in the defence. It took a couple of attempts but the cracks finally emerged and Lawes powered over the line. Myler's conversion took the score out to 14-0, a margin that looked increasingly handy as Aironi took play deep into the home 22.

But the Italians' discipline failed them at the crucial moment, as did their lineout play soon after, and Saints were able to sweep things up effectively. Nevertheless there were moments of promise for Aironi, such as a kick ahead that had Daniel Demas breathing down Lee Dickson's neck.

For all their efforts though the Magners League newcomers were unable to secure consistent amounts of possession in the danger zone, let alone create a try opportunity. This was in stark contrast to the Saints, who kept up their record of scoring in each 10-minute period with another well taken try.

Ashton, who was coming off his wing and choosing his running lines with increasing confidence, pulled the red defenders one way and then the other, and when play headed infield Lawes was over for his second of the evening. And when Myler cut back on an angle to take a short ball from his half-back partner Dickson to dive over for the fourth try, Saints were cruising at 26-0.

The first period had finished as it had begun, with a Mercier miss, but the second began with the Saints very much on the front foot deep in the visitors' 22. However it took 12 minutes for the pressure and possession to be turned into points. Like the first try this try was created by Foden and finished by Ashton, although this time the former provided not just the mazy run but the scoring pass as well.

Now 31 points to the good the Saints sought to put some plays into action. But when Mercier snapped up a floating Myler pass and sped into space it looked like Aironi were finally going to get on the scoreboard.

In previous years they may very well have done. But Mercier now falls very much into the category of 'experienced head' and he was pulled down by the triple team of Ashton, Foden and Jon Clarke agonizingly close to the line. Foden was at it again soon after, this time doubling up with Joe Ansbro on Giovanbattista Venditti in the Shrubbery Corner.

And while Shane Geraghty came close to sending Calum Clark on a charge to the line, it was Aironi who got the next points when Williams powered over from close range. Points had been scored at last, but they remained just a consolation and when the Saints pack gained some revenge by earning a penalty try with three minutes left on the clock the comfortable win had been confirmed.

Referee - Chris White

TIMELINE
4mins AIR Miss DG Mercier
5mins AIR Miss pen Mercier
6mins SAINTS Try Ashton Con Myler 7-0
20mins SAINTS Try Lawes Con Myler 14-0
35mins SAINTS Try Lawes 19-0
40mins SAINTS Try Myler Con Myler 26-0
40+4mins AIR Miss pen Mercier
HALF-TIME SAINTS 26 AIRONI 0
53mins SAINTS Try Ashton 31-0
70mins AIR Try Williams 31-5
77mins SAINTS Try Penalty Con Myler 38-5
FULL-TIME SAINTS 38 AIRONI 5