Summary

  • England captain Owen Farrell misses the match after positive Covid test

  • George Furbank fills in at 10 for hosts

  • Kick-off delayed 10 minutes to 15:25 GMT

  1. 'We want to be the best in the world'published at 18:03 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    More from Eddie Jones: "It is a project, we are two years from the World Cup and by the time we get to the World Cup we want to be the best team in the world."

  2. Postpublished at 18:01 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    England coach Eddie Jones speaking to Amazon Prime: "It is not what you see, it is how much we improve: this week, and then onto next week and the week after.

    "We can only play against the opposition that show. I think we left four tries out there, but I liked the attitude in the second half. In a game like that the crowd can go off for more pints and do a Mexican wave, we managed to keep the energy up and stopped it about halfway round the stadium today!

    On the possibility of picking Marcus Smith from the start against Australia next week: "We will take a look at this game today and how Australia go against Scotland tomorrow. They are going to have a different 10 without Quade Cooper and without Samu Kerevi, but we will have to be tough at the breakdown."

  3. 'We are motivated to close the gap'published at 17:47 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    Tonga assistant coach Grant Doorey on Amazon Prime: "Fundamentally you have got to focus in on the core reasons - discipline, 21 penalties against, three periods of 10 minutes at 14 men - and against quality sides you cannot compete with statistics like that.

    "The referees are making the best decisions with what they have in front of them, that (red card) doesn't reflect the style of rugby we are trying to play.

    "The gulf is obvious but the more opportunities we get to play games like this the more motivated we get to close those gaps, you cannot close those gaps without opportunities.

    "We have got to raise our level to meet the standard that allows us to become more competitive, I think over time we will do that."

  4. Postpublished at 17:42 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    Ben Youngs and Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images

    So 11 tries for England, who also made 13 clean breaks and ran 651 metres to Tonga's 268.

  5. Postpublished at 17:39 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    Stick with us for all the reaction from England coach Eddie Jones.

  6. 'A bit to work on'published at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    Courtney Lawes and Dylan HartleyImage source, Getty

    Courtney Lawes on Amazon Prime: "(There is) a little bit to work on but it is great to be back with the fans. It was nice to get a few points at the end at bring some entertainment.

    "We made the call yesterday, I knew if Faz could not play I would be first choice. It's amazing, I didn't know if I would get the opportunity to lead this group of boys out and get all those tries.

    "It is going to be a great game (against Australia next week) I believe we can go toe to toe with anyone, we have a bit to learn but I am looking forward very much to next week."

  7. 'We are trying to reinvigorate ourselves'published at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    Henry SladeImage source, Getty

    Henry Slade speaking to Amazon Prime: "We are trying to reinvigorate ourselves, and I think we saw that today. It's about building relationships and friendships on and off the field.

    "We have a good mixture of boys who have been here for a while, some youth, some experience, some energy and I think we have a good balance at the moment."

  8. Postpublished at 17:28 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    It all got a bit messy for Tonga at the end there, but England were pretty ruthless given the chance.

  9. Full-timepublished at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 69-3 Tonga

    And that's it!

  10. converted try

    Converted try - England 69-3 Tongapublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    Alex Mitchell, con Marcus Smith (80 mins)

    Alex MitchellImage source, Getty

    And another!

    Alex Mitchell grubbers the loose ball into his own path as the Tonga defence opens up and sprints on to it to touch down and top off a convincing England performance.

    Marcus Smith prods over the extras.

  11. converted try

    Converted try - England 62-3 Tongapublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    Jamie Blamire, con Marcus Smith (78 mins)

    Jamie BlamireImage source, Getty

    Oh, lovely!

    It is tremendous footwork and glorious hands from Marcus Smith to set up the score, flicking a neat offload just at the right moment for Jamie Blamire to take at full speed and he darts between the sticks.

    Smith tags on the conversion.

  12. Postpublished at 77 mins

    England 55-3 Tonga

    Henry Slade is named the player of the match, and a worthy one too.

  13. No trypublished at 75 mins

    England 55-3 Tonga

    Yeah, he was miles ahead of the kick, and Alex Mitchell's try is rightly chalked off.

  14. Try reviewpublished at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    Alex Mitchell (75 mins)

    And now Alex Mitchell thinks he's in, but this one is being reviewed.

  15. converted try

    Converted try - England 55-3 Tongapublished at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    Marcus Smith, con Marcus Smith (73 mins)

    Marcus SmithImage source, Getty

    And it's Marcus Smith!

    Wonderful try from England, with Henry Slade bursting from inside his own 22 and weaving through retreating white and red shirts with Tonga stretched before finding Smith.

    The fly half hits full speed and flies over the line. He adds the conversion for good measure.

  16. converted try

    Converted try - England 48-3 Tongapublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    Jamie George, con Marcus Smith (70 mins)

    It was a matter of time, and England are in again.

    The hosts gather some momentum as the maul rolls towards the Tonga line and it is Jamie George once again he spins off to power his way over for his second try of the afternoon.

    Marcus Smith pops on the extras.

  17. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    #bbcrugby or text to 81111 (UK only)

    Smith is an outstanding player also and may well be the future. However, if Eddie makes him play alongside Owen Farrell at 12, his talents will be wasted in exactly the same way Ford's have been. Let's hope not.

    Dominic Singleton.

  18. Red cardpublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 6 November 2021

    England 41-3 Tonga

    Fine is sent offImage source, Getty

    And Viliami Fine is sent off.

  19. Postpublished at 69 mins

    England 41-3 Tonga

    Viliami Fine goes in with a high tackle and then has some afters with Marcus Smith, throwing a shoulder into the England replacement. He could be in trouble here.