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Rugby Union

England shape up with big win

04/08/2007

England have issued a defiant warning to those teams hoping to relieve them of the World Cup in France in September with a thumping 62-5 win over Wales at Twickenham.

The match, the first of three pre-tournament warm-up encounters, was a one-sided affair as Brian Ashton's men attempted to play their way into the coach's final 30-man squad.

Harlequins' Nick Easter will be happiest with his work after a hat-trick of tries from the back-row man ensured he can expect to miss the forthcoming cull.

Scrum-half Shaun Perry's break down the blindside with just under quarter of an hour gone created the space for the first of nine England tries.

Easter was the man on hand to snap up the loose ball and dot down after the Bristol number nine was hauled down just short.

The 28-year-old picked up a second through a well-worked line-out routine and was joined on the scoresheet by Steve Borthwick as a comprehensive 22-0 lead was established by the end of the half.

Easter completed his hat-trick inside 50 minutes and was duly replaced by veteran Lawrence Dallaglio.

The Wasps man was clearly keen to show he could just as effective as his younger team-mate and powered over from short range within seven minutes of coming on.

Dafydd James crossed for Wales' only points but it was the England backs who took greatest advantage as the hot sun hampered the tiring forward packs.

Perry picked up a pair of tries before Matthew Tait and Jason Robinson both scorched in to heap on the misery for the Dragons.

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