Pollock on the double as Poms pummel Oz

Henry Pollock came off the bench to score a brace in England’s seven-try hammering of the Wallabies at Twickenham on Sunday.

The hosts overwhelmed Australia 45-22 in their November Nations Championship opener to ease the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick.

England kicked off with Borthwick in the spotlight after his side had lost five of their eight previous Tests in 2026, with players such as returning captain Maro Itoje having to deny reports this week of a “toxic environment” caused by the coach’s management style.

ALSO: Bok champ replaces crocked rookie

But hooker Jamie George, flank Ollie Chessum, prop Joe Heyes and scrumhalf Jack van Poortvliet all crossed the whitewash before loose forward Pollock struck twice after replacing injured wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso at half-time.

Fellow replacement Ben Spencer went over for his first Test try four minutes from time as England piled up their record points tally against Australia, surpassing the 44 they managed in a 44-40 win in Sydney, 2016.

Victory enabled England to lay down a marker ahead of a projected quarter-final clash with the Wallabies during next year’s World Cup Down Under.

This was Australia’s third loss in a row after Les Kiss’ troops conceded 93 points in total during a pair of heavy defeats by the All Blacks last month.

MORE: France call in reinforcements 

The visitors were reduced to 14 men in the first half when prop Angus Bell was yellow-carded for a hip-drop tackle on Feyi-Waboso in the 32nd minute.

England capitalised on their numerical advantage when Heyes caught Australia unawares by rolling off the side of a maul.

But the Wallabies hit back on the stroke of half-time. Wing Max Jorgensen, who scored an 83rd-minute try that sealed a 42-37 win for Australia at Twickenham two years ago, intercepted Van Poortvliet’s pass for a breakaway touchdown.

MALLETT: French revenge burns deep

Australia pulled two tries back through replacement wing Filipo Daugunu and flank Jeremy Williams before Spencer had the final say with pretty much his first touch.

The English continue their campaign at home to Japan next Saturday, with the Australians in action a day later against Scotland at Murrayfield.

ENGLAND – Tries: Jamie George, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet, Henry Pollock (2), Ben Spencer. Conversions: Fin Smith (5).
AUSTRALIA – Tries: Max Jorgensen, Filipo Daugunu, Jeremy Williams. Conversions: Ryan Lonergan, Ben Donaldson. Penalty: Lonergan.

– AFP

Photo: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images