England vs Tonga LIVE: Rugby result and reaction from 2021 autumn international fixture today
Follow all the latest updates from Twickenham as Eddie Jones’ side begin their autumn campaign
England responded to the loss of captain Owen Farrell to a positive Covid test by overwhelming Tonga 69-3 in their Autumn Nations Series opener.
The first 82,000 full house at Twickenham for 20 months because of the coronavirus pandemic noisily celebrated a 11-try rout led by Jonny May, Ben Youngs and Jamie George, who each crossed twice.
Victory was completed despite a disrupted build-up that saw Farrell withdraw as fly-half and captain after testing positive for Covid with confirmation of his absence delivered only 90 minutes before kick-off.
George Furbank was promoted to chief conductor for his fifth cap and a rookie who is more accustomed to playing full-back rose to the occasion by showing several attacking flourishes until he was replaced by Marcus Smith.
The intention had been for Farrell and Smith to form a playmaking axis but Covid and Smith’s leg injury sabotaged that plan and instead the Harlequins prodigy had to wait until the 53rd minute to step off the bench.
Smith entered the fray at a time when England were becoming scruffy in the face of successful Tongan spoiling but his arrival gave Eddie Jones’ men a second wind and he picked a brilliant support line to finish a break by man of the match Henry Slade.
The 22-year-old’s afternoon was marred only when he was elbowed on the floor in the 70th minute by Viliami Fine, who was sent off as a result.
England 34-3 Tonga, 58 minutes
Nearly a seventh for England! More speedy handling allows them to get to the left edge, with Jonny May again allowed a sprint down the left, but he is just about forced out with the line in sight and caught with chalk on his boots as his infield offload is tapped back by Tongan hands.
That prompts some chances - Tonga bring on their replacement front row while it is time for an England debut. Mark Atkinson gets a meaty hug from Manu Tuilagi as he replaces him at inside centre. A very, very good showing from Tuilagi on his return to an England shirt.
England 34-3 Tonga, 56 minutes
And a penalty means England will clear, with Ben Tameifuna looking a little short of puff after nearly an hour of exertions as he is deemed the cause of the collapse.
England 34-3 Tonga, 55 minutes
A decent drive from Tonga but that ball isn’t coming back. To little surprise it is Maro Itoje at the heart of it, fighting his way through bodies to get to the ball and clinging on as it comes naturally to floor. Craig Evans initially declares that the ball is available but the referee admits his error to the whoops of the England eight, who will pack down for a scrum which Ben Youngs will feed.
England 34-3 Tonga, 54 minutes
There’s the roar - the England fans say a hearty, hopeful hello to Marcus Smith as he wins his third cap, replacing the rather effective George Furbank with plenty of time left to make an impression.
He’s setting some plays on an inviting blindside when England fail to secure tidy ruck ball and are penalised. Kurt Morath propels his forwards for the corner and a chance to drive for the line.
TRY! ENGLAND 34-3 Tonga (Ben Youngs try, 51 minutes)
Ben Youngs plays the thief in the night and is away for his second!
It’s a proper mugging, too. Sione Vailanu plucks the ball from the base of the scrum and Youngs is swiftly upon him. Valianu is so preoccupied with swatting the nine away that he fails to realise he is relinquishing his grip on the ball, with pilfering hands from Youngs allowing him to take it with him as he spins towards the Tongan line.
Off he races and try as Tonga might they won’t catch him as Youngs goes 60 metres for the score. Henry Slade strikes the left-hand post with his kick.
England 29-3 Tonga, 49 minutees
Another penalty against England allows Tonga to make progress - kicked towards the fringes of England’s 22...
But a useful hand from Jonny Hill at the lineout and England have the ball. A waste for Tonga, who haven’t been able to build from stable set-piece at all this afternoon.
England 29-3 Tonga, 47 minutes
Tonga have managed to pilfer ball on a coupel of occasions this afternoon and do so again crucially here as England look to build in their 22. That man Kata finally gets an opportunity with ball in hand and beats a couple with a hitch-kicking dart, and after Tonga eventually clear their lines a midfield knock-on means the visitors will set a scrum.
Meanwhile Marcus Smith is warming up with purpose. It may not be long before the Harlequins fly-half joins proceedings.
YELLOW CARD! Walter Fifita is sent to the sin bin! England 29-3 Tonga, 45 minutes
Walter Fifita could be in trouble here! England are sniffing an inviting overlap as Fifita jumps out the line, extends a hand, and deliberately knocks on. Beauden Barrett got lucky last week but there is no argument for Fifita, really - off he goes. Tonga drop down to 14 again as their other wing takes a seat that will, at least, be warmed by the recently back with us Solomone Kata.
England 29-3 Tonga, 44 minutes
A first sighting of Alex Dombrandt since the Harlequins’ back rower’s arrival and it is a positive one - combining with Tom Curry for a strong double tackle as they stand up the Tongan carrier.
England win a kicking duel and will throw a lineout inside the Tonga half.
England 29-3 Tonga, 43 minutes
And that’s a little loose from England. Some rather aimless tight-in carries from forwards are unduly rewarded by Kyle Sinckler and co. failing to escape the ruck swiftly enough. Penalty to the visitors and a chance to clear in comfort.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments