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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Will Freeman

Jonny Wilkinson reacts to 'genius' Marcus Smith after Italy try

Marcus Smith combined with Max Malins superbly to score England's first try against Italy on Sunday afternoon, adding to his score against Scotland last weekend to give the visitors an early lead.

Smith found Malins out on the left-hand side with the Saracens man beating a defender before cutting back for Smith to secure the five points for England before converting his own try.

For England fans it will have been reminiscent of the sort of plays Jonny Wilkinson produced during 91 caps where he won the World Cup under the coaching of Clive Woodward.

"It's that genius that you get in football games where you just can't get the ball off somebody because they're playing one-twos, it's that kind of thing." Wilkinson said.

"Someone's just seeing with excitement and the game becomes a very simple playground type of affair for him - when that happened for me, people were like 'what are you going down there for, it's two vs four?' and then they say 'oh alright then'."

Smith combined once more in the second-half with Elliot Daly to set the substitute winger through for England's bonus-point try - Daly replaced Jack Nowell in the first-half after an injury to Jack Nowell.

Wilkinson and Smith have worked together in England training sessions as recently as part of his ongoing kicking consultancy role with England.

The Harlequins man is getting his chance to shine this year after an injury to Owen Farrell ruled the England captain out of the tournament before it began and fans will be hoping to see even more of him in the coming weeks.

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