Rampant England bounce back to winning ways with 11-try spree against Fiji

Second-half substitute Henry Pollock scored a hat-trick as England ran in 11 tries in a 73-8 ‌thrashing of Fiji in their Nations Championship clash on Saturday, ending a run of five successive test defeats.

The result at the Hill Dickinson Stadium followed England's heavy defeat by South Africa in their opening Nations Championship game and a disappointing Six Nations ​campaign.

England were 35-3 ahead at halftime and took advantage of Fiji being reduced to 14 men for ​the second half after scrum-half Simione Kuruvoli was sent off for kicking out at ⁠England prop Ellis Genge and striking him in the chest.

England’s first-half try scorers were Marcus Smith, captain Jamie ​George, Guy Pepper, Benhard Janse van Rensburg and Seb Atkinson.

Pollock (3), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade and Noah Caluori added second-half ​tries while Fin Smith, who had a commanding game at fly-half, kicked nine conversions.

Fiji’s score came from Tevita Ikanivere’s push-over try and a penalty kicked by Caleb Muntz.

England last won a test when they beat Wales early in the Six Nations and needed ​a statement victory, which they earned in style with their biggest win over Fiji, helped by the high penalty count ​against the islanders.

"It was an impressive performance. We had many strings to our bow," said England captain Jamie George.

"It has been ‌tough ⁠and not a comfortable place to be," added Smith of their recent form. "We let the shackles off."

-Reuters