- England 69-3 Tonga
- Marcus Smith scores one of England’s 11 tries
This was always destined to be a day when the number of points accrued by England felt a relatively minor detail. Given the endless talking points in the buildup – the Covid-19 uncertainty, a new home captain and fly-half, long queues around the stadium, a delayed kick-off – it was to the credit of all concerned that a capacity Twickenham crowd departed feeling optimistic about what may yet lie ahead this autumn.
There may well be more mileage in the Owen Farrell saga, with the captain’s post-Covid availability apparently under discussion with Public Health England, but here was evidence of some fresh English momentum and useful youthful impetus. While an ill-disciplined and ponderous Tonga were often their own worst enemies, England will be quietly encouraged before Australia’s impending visit next Saturday.
