Five takeaways from England v Canada
England's Joe Cokanasiga celebrates scoring a try during the Summer Series match at Twickenham Stadium, London. Picture date: Saturday July 10, 2021.
Following England’s 70-14 victory over Canada on Saturday, here’s our five takeaways from the game at Twickenham.
Top Line
With England disposing of Canada 70-14 in a display of intent and running rugby rarely seen under Eddie Jones, there was a lot to love about this new-look England side.
When a back and a forward both score hat-tricks in the same match, it suggests that the manner of play was exciting, open and purposeful, and despite the scoreline, Canada also spent a good proportion of the first half testing the England defence on their own goal line and fully deserved their brace of tries.
At the centre of England’s display was a rampaging performance by their front-row, a masterclass of control and impudence from both half-backs, dominance from the back three in all areas, but most of all, a sense of fun, and that’s something that has been lacking in England sides in recent times.
Marcus Smith
Around the 50-minute mark, a hubbub of noise went around the ground. Smith might have been vaguely aware of his name being mentioned in revered tones around the stands this season, so in the middle, he may have just thought people were admiring his skill and pace.
But no. As he was replaced, England team manager and rugby great Richard Hill greeted him on the touchline to inform a rather incredulous Smith that he needed to get changed and on a plane to Cape Town rather sharpish. Indeed, with his clipboard in hand Hill resembled not the brilliant flanker he once was, but Smith’s very own personal holiday tour guide, handing his tickets over for the rugby package holiday of a lifetime.
It caps a surreal season for the young Quin; one where he’s matured from punk rock upstart to rock and roll hall of famer in a season where his creativity, control and class has dominated every side he has played against.
The crazy thing is, as he becomes a Lion, his form and points of difference are so strong that nobody would be surprised should he start or feature in a Test. With the year he’s had, the best advice anyone could give him is buy a lottery ticket on the way to the airport; the way he’s going, he’s sure to snare the jackpot.
Standouts
In a game where virtually everyone contributed, it’s tough on 23 very good players to select a few stars. Ellis Genge built upon his massive performance last weekend and spent the day both pulling up and knocking down trees. He was absolutely immense, as were the other front-row starters, Jamie Blamire and Joe Heyes.
Whilst Blamire’s hat-trick – the first by an England forward since Jamie George touched down three times last year – will grab the headlines, Heyes absolutely dismantled his opposite number and looks heir apparent to Dan Cole’s long reign in the England three shirt.
Joe Cokanasiga played the game that England hoped he had in him: breaking tackles, coming in off his wing and generally creating havoc. His fellow wing, Adam Radwan, has had rave reports regarding his raw pace and his straight line acceleration was far too much for the tired Canucks as he became the second Falcon to grab a hat-trick on the day.
Other assured displays came from the gritty Harry Wells at lock, with Lewis Ludlam again coming off the bench and adding a lot of value at eight.
But this was Marcus Smith’s day. His call up may grab the headlines, but there’s a reason for it, and his absolutely relentless attacking ambition on the day, aided and abetted by the excellent Harry Randall, was the frame within which England painted their canvas of fun and ambition. It was, in short, a good day at the office.
The future
England have had a poor season by their standards and there’s a grave danger that media and fan pressure will call for widespread changes. But there’s 12 Englishmen on tour with the British and Irish Lions in South Africa that are there for a reason and all will return to Test duty with England next season.
Eddie Jones’ task is now to capture the best of what he’s seen in these two games and segue that into the real Test team. The half-backs have made their case and there’s no doubt they’ll get a go. Heyes has surely outlined his potential as a tighthead and his scrummaging was aggressive and positive as noted, with some deft handling touches in the loose.
In the back-row, the standout has been Ludlam off the bench, with the others perhaps not having the impact he has. Alex Dombrandt showed up well on the front foot yesterday without ever quite breaking free, whilst Ben Curry’s workrate against the USA will have impressed all that watched.
Cokanasiga and Radwan both will get their chances, a total contrast to each other – one a 400m power hurdler, the other a 100m sprint champion. Between them, Freddie Steward showed his rise at Tigers has been no fluke and he absolutely dominated the airways, just as he has at Welford Road all year.
Jones will be rubbing his hands with glee. Add the talent he’s waited so long to develop with that he’s already nurtured and you can honestly say he’s in a much better place today than he was two weeks ago.
Downsides
Canada’s haemorrhaging of 70 points won’t have done much to aid their claims as an emerging nation, but the scoreline was a bit unfair to them. Nevertheless, for a side that’s barely had three weeks together, World Rugby must free up some time and funding to allow them better preparation. But as noted, they played their part in this match, with Ross Braude in particular looking a Test-standard player.
For England, they’ll be frustrated that they’ve not answered many questions in the centres. Ollie Lawrence had his moments before his injury, Dan Kelly looked solid in defence and intelligent in attack but neither put their hand up and said, ‘pick me’. Henry Slade was completely anonymous. For a player of his reputation not to at least feature in attack or on the scorecard against two tier two nations this July shows why the Lions left him at home. He struggled to find work, to make telling interjections and right now, better 13 options are emerging, notably out in SA where Elliot Daly looks a player transformed by his positional change.
Jones will be frustrated too that his lock stock are less than two smoking guns. Charlie Ewels ran the lineout well but looked underpowered, whilst Harry Wells was spiky and did a lot of good things but isn’t the big lump that will dominate against the Rugby Championship sides.
But these are all minor points. In a season for England that’s been poor by their standards, they leave the 2020/21 season with a smile on their faces, a sense of optimism and a new set of challengers for the future. It’s an exciting time for Eddie Jones and the England fans.
England comfortably beat Canada
England recorded a huge 70-14 rout over Canada at Twickenham as Jamie Blamire and Adam Radwan bag hat-tricks, while Joe Cokanasiga claimed a brace and Ellis Genge also crossing in addition to a penalty try.