Eddie Jones so nearly got his wish. For it was not until the late stages of this emphatic victory that a few Mexican waves began to ripple around the Twickenham stands. By that stage England had long since put a disappointing Japan side to the sword and demonstrated a dominance to both kickstart their autumn campaign and look forward to the sterner tests that await with relish.
England were true to their word, slipped the straitjackets and played with more freedom of expression than six days previous against Argentina. Jones had promised that the focus in the buildup was all about this fixture rather than the World Cup – perhaps he is on to something – and a performance that would keep the Mexican waves at bay. That England almost achieved it aptly sums up their afternoon – not perfect, but significantly more polished.
