England vs Tonga Rugby World Cup 2019 result: Manu Tuilagi double seals victory in misfiring display

Re-live the action from England’s opening Rugby World Cup victory as Eddie Jones’s side made a winning start to their Japan 2019 campaign

Rugby World Cup: England vs Tonga preview

Two tries by centre Manu Tuilagi helped England to a scrappy 35-3 bonus-point victory over a tough and resilient Tonga in their Rugby World Cup Pool C opener in Sapporo on Sunday.

Mindful the three-time world champions New Zealand had demolished Tonga 92-7 two weeks ago, Eddie Jones's side were keen to flex their muscles and send a message that they could match the tournament favourites with a similar performance. The Tongans, led by big-hitting loose forwards Sione Kalamafoni and Zane Kapeli, however, proved difficult to break down and it was only rampaging centre Tuilagi's tries that gave England an 18-3 advantage at half-time.

Hooker Jamie George and his replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie added second-half tries for the 2003 champions, who controlled territory and possession and had a smart tactical kicking game but could not finish off the numerous chances they created.

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Key Points

• England 35-3 Tonga
• Manu Tuilagi scored England's first try of the World Cup
• Centre adds his second midway through the first half
• Jamie George scores England's third from a driving maul
• Luke Cowan-Dickie try seals victory late on

[22 September 2019 11:18 · Jack de Menezes]

KICK-OFF! TONGA GET THE MATCH UNDERWAY

[22 September 2019 11:20 · Jack de Menezes]

2 mins: England make a solid start and clear their lines, with Halaifonua cleanly taking the catch and carrying into contact. Tonga get the first penalty of the match as Kyle Sinckler is penalised for not rolling away, and Tonga kick for touch just outside the England 22.

[22 September 2019 11:23 · Jack de Menezes]

4 mins: England get their first chance to attack as they prevent Tonga from getting anything going, holding the ball up in the process. They attack off the scrum left down the blindside, but Daly's attempted chip and chase comes to nothing as his kick goes into touch.

[22 September 2019 11:26 · Jack de Menezes]

7 mins: May breaks upfield after a lovely-timed pass from Youngs, and he gives the ball inside to Underhill at the perfect time for the flanker to carry into the 22. Underhill has Ford inside him in free space, but he can't get the pass away before he's tackled and the chance goes when, from the ensuing play, Watson knocks a cross-field kick forwards to let Tonga off the hook. 

Had Underhill been able to find Ford there, that was a certain seven-pointer.

[22 September 2019 11:27 · Jack de Menezes]

9 mins: Tonga manage to clear their lines from the scrum as Morath kicks clear, but he misses touch and England counter. Watson and Daly whip the ball across to Jonny May, who runs laterally until he finds the edge and bursts clear, he commits the final man Pakalani and offloads to Tuilagi who surges towards the 22. England come right with a penalty advantage, but Curry drops the ball out wide and we'll come back for a penalty.

Farrell will go for goal.

[22 September 2019 11:28 · Jack de Menezes]

10 mins: Farrell successfully converts the kick and England lead! 3-0

[22 September 2019 11:32 · Jack de Menezes]

13 mins: Blimey! England try to crash the ball up off a lineout with Billy Vunipola in the middle, but he is absolutely smashed by openside flanker Zane Kapeli, and that does not happen a lot! The No 8 goes flying backwards, and as the Tongan defence pour in the win themselves a penalty.

Takulua will kick at goal to try and level the scores.

[22 September 2019 11:32 · Jack de Menezes]

15 mins: Takulua successfully kicks the penalty and the scores are level once again! 3-3

[22 September 2019 11:35 · Jack de Menezes]

17 mins: England said they would fight fire with fire, and they give back what they received as Tuilagi nails Pakalani with a huge hit, using about as little of the arm as you can technically get away with. However, Youngs gets penalsied for holding on after England win the ball back, and Tonga have another penalty. Takulua finds touch about 30m out.

[22 September 2019 11:37 · Jack de Menezes]

18 mins: England suddenly come to life as Itoje manages to steal the ball after the lineout is completed when it comes dislodged in the maul. They attack from right to left, and after Tuilagi straightens to make a half-break, he offloads to Farrell who releases Daly. England comes back right, and Ford puts a nice kick in to find touch deep in the Tongan 22. However, England let them off the hook when Lawes is penalised for hands on the floor.