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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 22, 2019 at 11.15am UK
 
England
35-3
Tonga
Tuilagi (24', 31'), George (57'), Cowan-Dickie (77')
FT

England vs. Tonga: The record of previous World Cup meetings

England have won both their matches against the Pacific Islanders.

England face Tonga on Sunday in their Rugby World Cup opener in Sapporo.

It will be a third World Cup clash between the sides, with England bidding for a hat-trick of wins in the group stages.

Here, PA news agency looks at the previous two matches.

1999 England 101 Tonga 10

Tonga's Ngalu Taufo'ou is sent off by referee Wayne Erickson
Tonga's Ngalu Taufo'ou is sent off by referee Wayne Erickson (Toby Melville/PA)

England booked their place in the next round with a 13-try thumping of the Pacific Islanders. The Tongans paid for their physical approach when Ngalu Taufo'ou was sent off before half-time for a forearm smash on Richard Hill. Fly-half Paul Grayson kicked 36 points, at the time an England record. England's campaign in Wales ended with a quarter-final loss to South Africa.

2007 England 36 Tonga 20

Paul Sackey scored two tries for England
Paul Sackey scored two tries for England (David Davies/PA)

The second meeting was much tighter but England were ultimately convincing winners. Tonga opened the scoring with a try from Sukanaivalu Hufanga but Paul Sackey crossed twice to help England into a 19-10 lead at half-time. Mathew Tait and Andy Farrell scored tries in the second half while Jonny Wilkinson kicked 16 points. England beat Australia and France to reach the final but their World Cup title defence ended with defeat by South Africa.

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