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
