England won the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup by beating France 22-19 in an extra-time nail-biter at Twickenham.
The competition replaced the traditional autumn visits to the northern hemisphere by the likes of Australia, South Africa and New Zealand because of travel restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Here, the PA news agency looks at five things we learned from the eight-team tournament.
Winning ugly counts
May the force be with England
Yesterday’s try was no fluke ⚡ We spoke to @J0nnyMay in 2018 about his relentless need for speed and his daily habits in pursuit of excellence ? pic.twitter.com/2rNp9RPugS
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 22, 2020
If excitement levels were regularly akin to a dark winter’s night, then England wing Jonny May provided the blazing summer sunshine. The Gloucester flier scored two tries in the 18-7 victory over Ireland and the second of those touchdowns – a spectacular solo effort – was among the finest scored at Twickenham. May, now joint second on England’s try list with 31, provides the rapier to formidable forward bludgeon. It is another reason why holders England are firm favourites to lift the Six Nations trophy again in 2021.
Wayne’s world not pretty
Ireland and Scotland seek consistency
Southern super-powers were missed
