England 40 Georgia 0: Jamie George hat-trick makes sure Red Rose ease home
At the 30th attempt, the elated Pumas had claimed their maiden victory over New Zealand with a 25-15 success that rightly sparked emotional scenes in Sydney.
It was also the first time since 2011 that the All Blacks had suffered back-to-back losses.
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Hide AdHowever, it would not turn into some sort of Super Saturday for the sport’s less heralded nations as Eddie Jones’ Red Rose side eased their way to a 40-0 win over a spirited but essentially limited Georgia team.
If playing in an empty Twickenham Stadium was not strange enough - how that sight must hurt the RFU - then seeing England turn out in a navy blue attire with their opponents all in white just added to the surreal nature of this contest.
Throw in a Test hat-trick of tries for hooker Jamie George - Owen Farrell could not help but smirk as he celebrated that feat with his Saracens colleague - and it all added up to a peculiar affair to say the least.
Nevertheless, even though it took the hosts 15 minutes to get off the mark, Wasps flanker Jack Willis marking his debut in style, there was never any danger of a shock also being on the cards.
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Hide AdBy the end of a first half England had dominated, they were 26-0 ahead after George had been driven over twice from a replica move started by Charlie Ewels claiming the line-out.
Of England’s new faces, Ollie Lawrence - the Worcester Warriors centre making his second Test appearance after debuting off the bench when securing the Six Nations against Italy - struggled to make his mark in midfield.
He floated one pass forward under no pressure and then spilled another off first-phase ball although conditions did become atrocious as rain hailed down in the second half.
Bristol’s Max Malins replaced Lawrence in the final quarter for his own debut while fellow replacement Dan Robson sniped over for a try in the 69th minute after George had completed his treble courtesy of Ewels’ assistance once more.
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Hide AdGeorgia competed hard early on, repelling one rolling maul and also halting Billy Vunipola in full flight.
When Jonny May wasted one attacking chance by chipping meekly into touch, there was hearty celebrations from the visitors’ bench.
Small wins were the order of the day.
However, Georgia scrum-half Gela Aprasidze passed to no one in particular near his own line from the line-out and Georgia were shoved off their scrum as they set up camp for the first time leading to Premiership Player of the Year Willis barging over.
The visitors - ranked 12th in the world but still with many of their players operating at semi-professional level - could not cope with England’s driving maul, so Lashma Khmaladze was ill-advised sailing the restart straight into touch after George’s opener.
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Hide AdSoon after, the Saracens hooker was in for his second before England’s fourth try of the first period came in slightly more pleasing style.
Jonathan Joseph, the right winger, started in from the left to slice through in midfield from a line-out, accelerating before putting Elliot Daly over.
Bath star Joseph, though, was injured in the process and had to be helped from the field as Farrell converted for that 26-0 interval lead.
During that first period, Georgia - whose only success in 32 outings against Tier One teams came against Japan in 2014 - had managed no time whatsoever with the ball in hand in England’s 22.
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Hide AdThat luxury did not come until the 50th minute but Jones’ side never looked like creaking and order was soon restored.
They will face a far sterner test in a week’s time when Ireland - led by former England assistant Andy Farrell - arrive at Twickenham.
England: Daly; Joseph (Marchant 39), Lawrence (Malins 62), Slade, May; Farrell, Youngs (Robson 62); Genge (M Vunipola 48), George (Dunn 64), Stuart (Sinckler 48), Ewels (Curry 64), Launchbury, Itoje, Willis (Earl 47), B Vunipola.
Georgia: Khmaladze; Tabutsadze, Kveseladze, Sharikadze, Svanidze (Todua 79); Abzhandadze, Aprasidze (Lobzhanidze 66); Nariashvili (Gogichashvili 47), Mamukashvili (Bregvadze 47), Gigashvili, Jaiani, Kerdikoshvili (Javakhia 65), Saginadze, Tkhilaishvili (Jalagonia 73), Gorgadze (Giorgadze 60).
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
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