England vs Fiji player ratings: Red Rose make unconvincing start to Rugby World Cup 2015 despite bonus point victory

Man-for-man marking from Twickenham as England secure a bonus point victory in the first match of the Rugby World Cup

Mike Brown bursts through to score England's second try (AFP)

England got their 2015 Rugby world Cup off to a winning start after defeating Fiji 35-11 in the opening match at Twickenham, but they will hope that more convincing displays lay in store after nearly letting slip their lead.

A penalty try and a score from Mike Brown saw England rush out to 15-3 lead, but Fijian wing Nemani Nedolo started to grow in impact and he soon took over kicking duties after Ben Volavola made a poor start to the match, both with the ball and from the tee.

Fiji looked to have scored an early contender for try of the World Cup though when scrum-half Nikola Matawala broke away from a scrum on halfway and used every inch of his pace to get away from Jonny May and the covering Brown. But a crucial touch from the full-back just about dislodged the ball from Matawala’s grasps as he dived for the line, and despite referee Jaco Peyper awarding the try, a lengthy TMO period saw the score chalked off.

Fiji would not be denied though, and they immediately scored through Nadolo on the other wing as he towered over Anthony Watson to score, shortly before converting a penalty attempt.

Nadolo landed the first points of the second half and suddenly Twickenham alarm bells were ringing with Fiji just one score behind, but Brown would be on hand to finish his second of the night and a try from replacement Billy Vunipola on the stroke of full-time saw England seal the bonus point and a comfortable yet unconvincing start to Pool A.

So how did the players perform? Click on the gallery below to find out.

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