"Spine of the team" - Sir Ian McGeechan picks out England's FIVE key players

The men in white launched their Autumn Nations Series with an 11-try demolition of the Islanders in front of a sold-out Twickenham.

The 81,000 back for the first time since March 2020 were treated to five first-half tries from the hosts.

The pace slowed before Marcus Smith's try got the crowd on their feet and kicked off a late England onslaught.

Below, McGeechan discusses the spine of the England team:

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McGeechan said: "my man of the match would have been George. I thought his all-round game - his lineout-throwing, his carrying, the little loop plays, taking the ball back the other way to set up Ben Youngs’ first try just before the break - was exceptional."

McGeechan said: "He's exceptional."

McGeechan wrote: "Alex Dombrandt’s impact off the bench which allowed key man Tom Curry to revert to his favoured openside position - England fans should be very excited by the prospect of an Underhill-Curry-Dombrandt back row. But most of all, it was the attitude and intent."

McGeechan wrote: "Smith puts passes away under pressure, releases late, brings players round the back, you saw him running around the back himself. He’s a threat with the ball, taking it to the line, he scores tries, he sets up tries, he varies what he does.

"George Furbank did not do much wrong at all. In fact, I thought he was better than that; not just doing the easy bits but actually really competent under the high ball. Running hard at the line. But Smith is England’s future at 10."

McGeechan wrote: "Henry Slade was given the player of the match gong, and he was excellent. I loved seeing him and Manu Tuilagi switching positions - Eddie deserves credit for that - and Slade coming into first receiver; changing the picture. His game involvement was so good and his break to set up Smith’s try, coming from the wrong side of where the contact was, late, was brilliant."