• Manu Tuilagi, right, of England celebrates scoring his side's second try with his team mate George Ford during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C game between England and Tonga at the Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
    Manu Tuilagi, right, of England celebrates scoring his side's second try with his team mate George Ford during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group C game between England and Tonga at the Sapporo Dome in Hokkaido, Japan. Getty Images
  • England's Sam Underhill in action with Tonga's Sione Kalamafoni at the Sapporo Dome in Japan. Reuters
    England's Sam Underhill in action with Tonga's Sione Kalamafoni at the Sapporo Dome in Japan. Reuters
  • Tonga wing Viliami Lolohea, left, vies for the ball with England's wing Anthony Watson during the Pool C match at the Sapporo Dome. AFP
    Tonga wing Viliami Lolohea, left, vies for the ball with England's wing Anthony Watson during the Pool C match at the Sapporo Dome. AFP
  • Tonga fly-half Kurt Morath kicks the ball during the Pool C match between England and Tonga at the Sapporo Dome. AFP
    Tonga fly-half Kurt Morath kicks the ball during the Pool C match between England and Tonga at the Sapporo Dome. AFP
  • Fans await the start of the clash between Italy and Namibia at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. AFP
    Fans await the start of the clash between Italy and Namibia at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. AFP
  • An Ireland supporter gears up for the Ireland-Scotland game at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
    An Ireland supporter gears up for the Ireland-Scotland game at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
  • Italy prop Marco Riccioni, centre, attempts to run with the ball against Namibia at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. AFP
    Italy prop Marco Riccioni, centre, attempts to run with the ball against Namibia at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka. AFP
  • Chad Plato, centre, of Namibia celebrates scoring his side's third try against Italy. Getty Images
    Chad Plato, centre, of Namibia celebrates scoring his side's third try against Italy. Getty Images
  • Italy lock Alessandro Zanni, centre, is tackled by Namibia players. AFP
    Italy lock Alessandro Zanni, centre, is tackled by Namibia players. AFP
  • Ireland wing Andrew Conway, centre, jumps for the ball in Yokohama. AFP
    Ireland wing Andrew Conway, centre, jumps for the ball in Yokohama. AFP
  • Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale, second right, runs with the ball at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
    Ireland wing Jacob Stockdale, second right, runs with the ball at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
  • Ireland wing Andrew Conway scores a try against Scotland at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
    Ireland wing Andrew Conway scores a try against Scotland at the International Stadium Yokohama. AFP
  • Italy full back Matteo Minozzi, left, dives and scores a try at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium. AFP
    Italy full back Matteo Minozzi, left, dives and scores a try at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium. AFP
  • An Irish fan enjoys the pre-match atmosphere at the International Stadium Yokohama. Getty Images
    An Irish fan enjoys the pre-match atmosphere at the International Stadium Yokohama. Getty Images
  • Tonga scrum-half Sonatane Takulua passes the ball during the match against England at the Sapporo Dome. AFP
    Tonga scrum-half Sonatane Takulua passes the ball during the match against England at the Sapporo Dome. AFP

Rugby

Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland lay down marker, while England and Italy still to find top gear - in pictures

Eddie Jones' side labours to win against Tonga, the Azzurri fail to impress against Namibia, while the Irish overpower Scotland

The National

September 22, 2019

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Manu Tuilagi scored two tries as England began their bid for a second world title with an ultimately error-strewn 35-3 bonus-point win over Tonga on Sunday.

The result was never in doubt but England were far from their best and will need to improve against Pool C heavyweights France and Argentina, with captain Owen Farrell admitting: "We've still got a lot more in us."

Meanwhile, Ireland put aside their stuttering 2019 form with a convincing 27-3 victory over Pool A rivals Scotland to open their campaign in style.

Also, Italy coach Conor O'Shea said his team were "disappointed" with their start after they were forced to come from behind before registering a 47-22 triumph over lowly Namibia.

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