England rout Manu Samoa
England chalked up a landmark 200th win at Twickenham as they rounded of their November internationals with a 48-14 rout of Samoa.
No other side in international rugby has won as many games at a single venue and England – powered by man of the match George Ford – rarely needed to get out of second gear to make it three wins from three this month, having already beaten Argentina and Australia.
Mike Brown, Alex Lozowski and Charlie Ewels all touched down in the first half as England opened up a 22-7 lead, Piula Faasalele's score the only blot for Eddie Jones' men.
The going was tougher early in the second half with Samoa's superb defensive work frustrating England, but two Elliot Daly tries either side of a Henry Slade score and Christopher Vui responding for the visitors preceded a last-gasp score for Semesa Rokoduguni.
Bigger challenges undoubtedly lay in wait, but England have still been beaten just once under Jones' stewardship heading into 2018.
Having benefited from several contentious decisions against Australia, England saw an early tight call go in their favour on Saturday.
Danny Care was adjudged not to have knocked on at the breakdown and Maro Itoje slipped in Brown for an easy score in just the second minute.
England were over again when Tim Nanai-Williams made a hash of an up-and-under, and Daly and Jamie George combined to send Lozowski in for his first international try.
Slack defending from the hosts quickly allowed Faasalele to put Samoa on the board with a pick-and-go under the posts.
The hosts were soon back in the ascendancy, though. Ford kicked a penalty before Ewels bulldozed his way over at the end of prolonged pressure.
England lost Jonny May to a head injury shortly after the restart, and the hosts were frustrated by some stoic work from Samoa in defence, which earned the visitors several breakdown penalties.
However, just after the hour, England were over again. Ben Youngs' quick hands found Ford, who in turn fed Daly - the Wasps man stepping in off the wing and heading for the corner.
Faasalele was then harshly sin-binned for going off his feet at the ruck, and England made their numerical advantage count as Slade dotted down at the end of a lineout move.
Samoa did have something to cheer when Vui dived over from close range, but Daly showed Samo's defence a clean pair of heels to race over again, before Rokoduguni completed a free-flowing play with the last move of the game.
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"Survive"? "Scare?" A bit dramatic. ABs always going to win, just a matter of by how much.
The Azurri were up for it though. As expected. You can bet they were planning for this specific test for months. Let's not forget they were pipped by ENG, drew with FRA, & beat both SCO & WAL in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year.
A mess of a match, good win, considering.
Go to commentsAfter you. And yes, that's exactly what Penney should do. Stat!! Unfortunately he has one year left on his contract.
Penney's Super Rugby win record was a low 23% before we signed him on. At the top was Razor at 84%. And true to form, Penney took us from a 7-peat to not even making the play-offs in ONE season. No excuses. LOSER. Thank God his contract is up next year. And hopefully Rangi might wanna throw his hat in for the job.
In the meantime, hopefully we can crack the top 6 this year in spite of Penney!??!
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