England beat a plucky Uruguay 111-13 in the final Pool C match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium tonight.
The Rugby World Cup favourites scored 17 tries to one, eleven were converted by fly half Paul Grayson and two by inside centre Mike Catt to completely overwhelm a brave Los Teros.
The 98 point margin is a new Rugby World Cup record for England.
Fullback Josh Lewsey was the chief beneficiary of his team’s dominance with five tries in a strong running dislay that would have caught the eye of coach Clive Woodward.
Iain Balshaw scored a double before being stretchered off with a nasty looking ankle injury when he landed heavily in a tackle in the 44th minute.
Scrum half Andy Gomarsall, replacement wing Jason Robinson and inside centre Mike Catt also got doubles.
England did not have it all their own way.
Uruguay dominated proceedings for a large chunk of the second quarter of the match, the South Americans camping in the England quarter, peppering the try line with wave after wave of forward dominated attack.
Referee Nigel Williams awarded four penalties as England infringed in the mauls. Uruguay elected to go for the lineout for each of them but were denied a try by some stout defence.
But Uruguay’s moment was to come in the second half when big tighthead prop Pablo Lemoine barged through two tackles for a magnificent individual try in the 47th minute.
It was only the second try conceded by England in this RWC 2003. Juan Menchaca added the extras to make it 52-13.
But England’s class out wide and power up front was just too much for Uruguay who, tired from the huge defensive effort, let in eleven second half tries.
Uruguay right wing came close to finishing the match with a dream try but fumbled the ball with the tryline beckoning.
Lewsey was England’s best with a strong attacking display from the back while lock Danny Grewcock was prominent up front.
For Uruguay Lemoine and busy hooker Diego Lamelas were bustling performers up front while scrum half Juan Campomar looked inventive with the limited opportunities he had.
Scorers
England 111
Tries: Josh Lewsey 5, Iain Balshaw 2, Mike Catt 2, Andy Gomarsall 2, Jason Robinson 2, Dan Luger, Stuart Abbott, Will Greenwood and Lewis Moody.
Convs: Paul Grayson 11, Mike Catt 2
Pens:
Uruguay 13
Tries: Pablo Lemoine
Convs: Juan Menchaca
Pens: Diego Aguirre Juan Menchaca