Marcus Smith turbocharged England’s 71-0 Rugby World Cup win over Chile, to put the Red Rose men on the brink of quarter-final qualification.
The Harlequins hurricane delivered a gale-force performance of acumen and alacrity at full-back, as England racked up 11 tries against overmatched opponents.
Henry Arundell bagged a 50-minute hat-trick, then went on to equal England’s record one-match haul of five tries, that he now shares with Josh Lewsey, Rory Underwood and Douglas Lambert.
Smith stole the show, however, unshackled at No15 and running riot to turn himself into a genuine full-back option for Steve Borthwick.
Smith claimed a try brace of his own, as did Theo Dan, with Bevan Rodd and Jack Willis also troubling the scorers.
Quins star Smith’s swashbuckling attacking rugby befitted entirely the city where The Musketeers wielded their weapons in the famed 17th century siege.
Freddie Steward has to start for England in the upcoming quarter-final: the Leicester stalwart is the world’s best under the high ball.
Steward could feature on the wing however, in what would prove a seriously bold selection – to allow Smith to prosper at full-back.
Only a little back-field calibration would be required, and suddenly England could have a deadly counter-attacking threat on their hands. Such are the points of difference that decide the biggest of matches.
England had George Ford and Owen Farrell back in tandem at 10 and 12 in the second half, with Smith at 15.
From scrum ball, Borthwick’s men had playmakers on all sides and the dangers are clear and present. Smith looks faster than ever over the ground, and a serious amount of speed work in the summer has paid off handsomely.
The 24-year-old has added an outside break to his varied and threatening arsenal, and this World Cup is all the richer for that full skill set to be on display.
When he slid in for his try and flashed a winning smile to the cameras, he knew just as much as everyone else that this was a moment made for the biggest stage.
England’s attack was clunky and error-strewn from the start, but Borthwick’s men warmed to their task. And this victory can breed attacking confidence throughout the squad.
Samoa will be a far sterner prospect back in Lille on October 7. England know the level must raise markedly again, but they are building into this tournament just as they planned and pledged.
Max Malins spilled Smith’s miscued pass as England blew several early try-scoring chances at the top of a high-octane affair.
Chile threatened briefly through pops off the ground and smart running lines, but once England settled the traffic was entirely one way.
Arundell walked in to open the scoring, before Dan capped a driven lineout. Dan then sent Arundell into the corner again after England took a quick tap penalty.
Rodd ploughed in after more strong grunt work from England’s pack, before Smith conjured the score of the night.
Arcing into the 13 channel, Smith spotted the lack of cover in the backfield, grubbered around Matias Garafulic and then left the Chile 12 for dead with his searing pace.
Smith collected and slid home for that Kodak moment beaming celebration, and England were well set.
Matias Dittus was sin-binned to hand Chile a tough start to the second half, whereupon Dan claimed his second score from a driven lineout.
Elliot Daly’s grubber sent Arundell in for his hat-trick, before the ex-London Irish man chipped, chased and collected for a fourth.
Smith then cut the line and fed Arundell for a remarkable fifth, with England emptying their bench and ensuring every player has now featured at this World Cup.
Smith claimed his second with a neat finish after earlier shredding Chile’s line again in another well-constructed England attack. Willis ploughed in from a straight line as England closed out the night in style.
Tougher challenges clearly lie in wait, but England delivered and added poise and style here. So far so good at this World Cup. Now bring on the big boys.
