line out

He knew the line-out inside out, and now he is bringing that level of clarity to every aspect of the game.

However, a final line-out, within 10 metres of the England line, went astray to wild cheers from the majority of the 80,807 spectators and Alex Mitchell kicked to the stands to ensure his England side successfully round off a 2025 that has featured only one defeat, a reverse against Dublin in February.

England finished the half, turning down a kick at goal and seeming to turn out the lights on the contest when Cowan-Dickie burrowed over from the subsequent driven line-out.

England went for the corner rather than the posts as their pressure earned a penalty and were rewarded when Pollock claimed at the back of the line-out, Ojomoh waded through a hit from club team-mate Carreras and flipped an offload out of the back of his hand for a waiting Slade to saunter in.

Off quick line-out ball, Lawrence looked set to thunder into contact.