England vs Tonga: Rugby World Cup 2019 player ratings as Manu Tuilagi stars in 35-3 victory

England got their Rugby World Cup 2019 campaign underway with a convincing victory

Jack de Menezes

Sapporo Dome

Sunday 22 September 2019 13:56

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Rugby World Cup 2019 in numbers

England began their Rugby World Cup campaign with a convincing victory over Tonga on Sunday.

Manu Tuilagi scored two tries in seven minutes to put England in control. Tuilagi threw off Tongan defenders and muscled his way over after a five-meter scrum and a move down the short side in the 24th minute.

He was put clear for his second try with an inside ball from wing Jonny May after England created an overlap on the left.

Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie then ran in second-half tries as England secured an important bonus point in Sapporo.

See how we rated the two teams below.

Player ratings: England vs Tonga

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1/33Player ratings: England vs Tonga

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AP

Two good runs that gave England good field position, and a lovely pass for May to run onto in the lead up to Tuilagi’s second try. But at fault for not being deep enough off Slade’s pass that would have bagged him his own try.

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Quiet game until he exploded into life late on with a mazy run from his own 22 to the Tongan 22, leaving defender after defender in his wake.

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The star performer by a country mile. First try was born out of his brute strength as he burst through a tackle attempt from Kalamafoni and carried two over the line with him. Second try was more of a case of right place, right time, and he was a constant problem for Tonga to deal with all afternoon.

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Pretty quiet throughout and missed his first conversion effort, but had one good run in the lead up to Tuilagi’s opener.

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Nice break and awareness to set up Tuilagi for his second try. Made a strong tackle on Tuitavake in the second half, but left the field with what looked like an injury soon after.

EPA

Failed to get much going as a blunt England attack took too long to get firing. More was expected from the Ford-Farrell combination.

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Fairly quiet throughout, though could have been a little different had he managed to ground the ball when he took a quick penalty. Replaced short of the hour by Willi Heinz.

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Strong work in the scum as England were rarely tested, but didn’t manage to get through much carrying.

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Excellent in the lineout as he hit all of his throws in an area where England are dominating the game. Looked to shake off an ankle niggle and was replaced soon after by Luke Cowan-Dickie, who was on hand to score the final try.

PA

Like Marler, a solid shift in the front row but guilty of conceding the first penalty in an ill-disciplined start to the match.

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Not as prominent as Itoje but still got through plenty of carrying for the side.

PA

Excellent in the air as George repeatedly went to him, and managed to pinch one of Tonga’s throws along with sealing a turnover from a lineout maul. Carried well and got through plenty of defensive work.

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Lead the charge with 15 tackles but will need to up his work-rate with the ball in hand.

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England’s most prominent forward, winning a penalty at the breakdown and also managing to seal a turnover when first into the ruck. Unlucky not to score a try as his effort was held up by the slimmest of margins.

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Will be feeling the effects of Zane Kapeli’s enormous tackle on him in the opening exchanges, and slightly faded from the game following the hit. Will need to be more prominent as the tournament wears on.

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World Rugby via Getty Images

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Check the above gallery to see how we rated the two teams.

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