The victory sees them top Pool C, with USA next for Eddie Jones’ side on Thursday (kick off 11.45am BST, live on ITV).

This fixture marked the third meeting between the two sides, with England having won the past two meetings (both at men’s Rugby World Cups) by a combined score of 137-30 and they made it a third victory.

A first-half brace from Manu Tuilagi gave England an 18-3 lead at the break, while second-half scores via hookers Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie sealed the result.

Tuilagi makes England tick

England had opened each of their last six Rugby World Cup campaigns with a win and they made it a seventh in Japan.

After Owen Farrell and Sonatane Takulua traded penalties Tuilagi, who was England’s outstanding player in the opening half, had the first score of the game.

Having being adjudged not to have grounded the ball over the line moments earlier, the Leicester Tigers centre did eventually cross soon after.

A five-metre scrum was recycled to the right wing and Tuilagi crashed through for a first score.

A second try followed with Tuilagi again the scorer finishing off May's break after England had done well to shift the ball to the left wing via a fine pass from Elliot Daly, while Farrell’s penalty gave them a 15-point half-time lead.

Bonus-point

England had their third on the hour, Jamie George bundling over off the back of a maul after a five-metre lineout had been driven over Tonga’s line.

Cowan-Dickie sealed the bonus-point with Jonathan Joseph wriggling through midfield before releasing the hooker to dot down.

Farrell converted to take his tally to 15 points in what were the final points of the game. 

Reaction

England head coach Eddie Jones: "They are always difficult games. We weren't sharp enough but we have a few more games to get sharper.

"We dropped a couple of balls that will normally wouldn't and they could have resulted in tries but we got five points which is what we wanted.

"I was really happy with the defence and that is a good sign of the attitude of the team, that was pleasing.

"We didn't execute well but that is rugby - importantly we got five points and no serious injuries."

What next?

Elsewhere in Pool C, France defeated Argentina with a narrow 23-21 win.

England will next face USA on Thursday 26 September (KO 11:45 BST), Argentina on Saturday 5 October (KO 09:00 BST) and finally France on Saturday 12 October (KO 09:15 BST).