England beat Tonga in Autumn Nations Series opener
England scored 11 tries en route to a 69-3 win over Tonga at Twickenham, in their first Test of the Autumn Nations Series.
Adam Radwan, who scored three tries on his England debut against Canada, crossed against the Pacific Islanders inside the opening three minutes.
England stretched the Tongan defence early on from left flank to right flank, and it was a zipping Ben Youngs pass to Radwan five metres out that saw the 23-year-old shrug off his opposite man and wrestle himself over the line. Henry Slade was unable to add the extras.
Eddie Jones’ men bagged their second try ten minutes later in the same corner, Jamie George the benefactor off the back of a five-metre rolling maul, doubling the lead. It was the hooker’s eighth England try.
Tonga got on the scoreboard thanks to a Sonatane Takulua penalty moments later, but England began to step through the gears on the half hour mark as George Furbank, who filled in at fly half in the absence of Owen Farrell, showed great handling skills to unleash Manu Tuilagi deep into Tongan territory.
Quick ball from the resulting ruck was put through the hands, and Freddie Steward set Jonny May up for his 34th Test try. Slade’s conversion made it 17-3.
As half time approached, Soloone Kata was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle in the air, and England immediately took advantage.
Courtney Lawes, who was named captain ahead of the Test, was the catalyst behind England’s fourth score, lifting an inside pass into a charging Ellis Genge. The Leicester prop then offloaded to Maro Itoje, who barrelled over from close range. Slade had the easiest of extras to convert.
From attacking prowess to defensive heroics, Lawes made another impact on the Test as he made an incredible try-saving tackle on Telusa Veainu, after the full back had ran the length of the pitch for what looked like a certain try.
But instead it was England who extended their lead to 26 points on the stroke of half time, thanks to a Youngs try.
Tonga's luck didn't change early in the second half, as wing Walter Fifita was yellow carded for a deliberate knock on, and Youngs scored his second, stripping the ball from number 8 Sione Vailanu off the base of a scrum, and cantering 40 metres unopposed, making the score 34-3.
Mark Atkinson made his Test debut, coming off the bench on the 57 minute mark, and May scored his second minutes later - scampering over off the back of a lineout strike move. Marcus Smith added the conversion.
Alex Mitchell replaced double try-scorer Youngs with 12 minutes remaining in the match, and although Tonga remained competitive, a Viliami Fine red card for throwing an elbow summed up their day.
A second George try - a carbon copy of his first - was followed up with one from Smith. The Harelquin then provided an assist for Jamie Blamire to score under the sticks, and Mitchell bagged England's eleventh in the final play. Smith converted all four to make the final score 69-3.
Teams
England
Starters
15. Freddie Steward, 14. Adam Radwan, 13. Henry Slade, 12. Manu Tuilagi, 11. Jonny May, 10. George Furbank, 9. Ben Youngs, 1. Ellis Genge, 2. Jamie George, 3. Kyle Sinckler, 4. Maro Itoje, 5. Jonny Hill, 6. Courtney Lawes, 7. Sam Underhill, 8. Tom Curry.
Finishers
16. Jamie Blamire, 17. Joe Marler, 18. Will Stuart, 19. Charlie Ewels, 20. Alex Dombrandt, 21. Alex Mitchell, 22. Marcus Smith, 23. Mark Atkinson.
Tonga
15. Telusa Veainu, 14. Walter Fifita, 13. Malietoa Hingano, 12. Afusipa Taumoepeau, 11. Soloone Kata, 10. Kurt Morath, 9. Sonatane Takulua, 1. Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2. Paula Ngauamo, 3. Ben Tameifuna, 4. Halaleva Fifita, 5. Tanginoa Halaifonua, 6. Lopeti Timani, 7. Mateaki Kafatolu, 8. Sione Vailanu.
Replacements
16. Siua Maile, 17. Loni 'Uhila, 18. Ma' Afi Fia, 19. Setefano Funaki, 20. Onehunga Havili, 21. Leon Fukofuka, 22. James Faiva, 23. Viliami Fine.
Fixtures & Results
England 69-3 Tonga
England v Australia - Saturday 13 November (KO 5:30pm)
England v South Africa - Saturday 20 November (KO 3:15pm)
