England 69-3 Tonga: Hosts make rampant start to Autumn Nations Series

Adam Radwan's try was the first of 11 for England in a comprehensive win over Tonga

England launched their Autumn Nations Series with an 11-try demolition of Tonga in front of a sold-out Twickenham.

The pace slowed before Marcus Smith's try got the crowd on their feet and kicked off a late England onslaught.

The dominant performance came after captain Owen Farrell was unable to play because of a positive Covid-19 test.

England have much sterner Tests to come, as they face Australia next Saturday before hosting world champions South Africa.

England's attack lively in Farrell's absence

Head coach Eddie Jones has begun to evolve his side with the 2023 World Cup in mind but he was forced to make a bigger change than expected shortly before kick-off.

Just 82 minutes before the game began, England announced that George Furbank - who had never started at 10 in his four previous international appearances - would take Farrell's place at fly-half after the captain tested positive for Covid-19.

Many fans had wanted to see Harlequins star Smith given a start, but the fly-half had minimal training during the week because of a minor leg injury and veteran George Ford had been left out of the autumn squad altogether.

Despite the late change, England's attack made a rapid start as Adam Radwan - one of those Jones is hoping can be a future World Cup star - wriggled his way through defenders to score in the right corner.

After a more traditional maul try from Jamie George, England lost some momentum but endeavoured to give the fans what they wanted with moments of exciting counter-attack.

Furbank almost quietened those who doubted his last-minute selection with an impressive break that came dangerously close to an individual score.

But England - who welcomed new attack coach Martin Gleeson after a disappointing Six Nations - kept up their efforts with sneaky offloads and scything runs.

Eventually, Manu Tuilagi bulldozed through two Tongan defenders, proving he is well and truly back on the international scene, before Jonny May gave the fans what they wanted with a swan dive to score on the left.

Ellis Genge broke through defenders and set up Maro Itoje to score before Ben Youngs crossed on his 110th cap to round off a solid first half.

More to follow.

Line-ups

England: Steward; Radwan, Slade, Tuilagi, May; Furbank, Youngs; Genge, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Lawes (capt), Underhill, Curry.

Replacements: Blamire, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Dombrandt, Mitchell, Smith, Atkinson.

Tonga: Veainu; W Fifita, Hingano, Taumoepeau, Kata; Morath, Takulua (capt); Fisi'ihoi, Ngauamo, Tameifuna, L Fifita, Halaifonua, Timani, Kafatolu, Vailanu.

Replacements: Maile, Uhila, Fia, Funaki, Havili, Fukofuka, Faiva, Fine.

Sin-bin: Kata (32'), Fifita (46')

Red card: Fine (69')