England overwhelm Tonga with 11-try thrashing at packed Twickenham

England’s Marcus Smith on his way to score his side’s ninth try. Picture: Adam Davy/PA

England responded to the loss of captain Owen Farrell to a positive Covid test by overwhelming Tonga 69-3 in their Autumn Nations Series opener.

The first 82,000 full house at Twickenham for 20 months because of the coronavirus pandemic noisily celebrated a 11-try rout led by Jonny May, Ben Youngs and Jamie George, who each crossed twice.