1. England 111 – 13 Uruguay – (2003 Rugby World Cup – Pool C)
November 2nd 2003, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Another match that has recently been the focus of a few RUCK lists, as this fixture cropped up in third, for the all-time biggest Rugby World Cup wins. We look back on this iconic encounter once again, as England recorded their biggest ever Rugby World Cup margin of victory, on the road to lift the Web Ellis trophy for the first and only time to date.
England fans will be hopeful to see Steve Borthwick’s men emulate this cataclysmic victory, when they take on another South American side in Chile this Saturday. Chile will look to avoid a repeat of history, as this match also marked the first ever meeting between England and Uruguay, as is the case for this Saturday. Back in 2003, England were performing at the all-time peak, and saw out the pool stages in style with this win in Brisbane.
They came close to breaking their Rugby World Cup record in the aforementioned match against Georgia, but surpassed the Tongan mark in this formidable display against Uruguay. England’s Josh Lewsey equalised the England record for tries in a single test match, as he ran in five scores admist the chaos. Lewsey’s try-scoring efforts marked the joint-second best showing in a single Rugby World Cup match, behind the All Blacks’ Marc Ellis (tied Australia’s Chris Latham).
TRIES: 17 (Lewis Moody, Josh Lewsey (5), Ian Balshaw (2), Mike Catt (2), Andrew Gomarsall (2), Daniel Luger, Stuart Abbott, Jason Robinson (2), Will Greenwood)
CONVERSIONS: 13 (Paul Grayson (11), Mike Catt (2))