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England thrashes Ireland 57-15 at Twickenham in RWC warmup

England issued a powerful statement ahead of the Rugby World Cup when it overwhelmed Ireland by a record 57-15 margin at Twickenham on Saturday.

At the heart of England's second triumph in three warmup tests was man of the match Manu Tuilagi, who bristled with power and intent to torment an Irish defense that fell to pieces in the second half.

Ireland scored first through a Jordan Larmour try, but its hopes of the win that would lift it to No. 1 in the world rankings at the expense of Wales quickly disintegrated.

England's Joe Cokanasiga scores during the international match against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London, Saturday Aug. 24, 2019. (Adam DavyPA via AP)

The greatest danger England faced was not from Ireland but sunburn, as Twickenham roasted in temperatures that peaked at 30 degrees. Yet, England was well equipped for broiling conditions having spent 10 days in a heat camp in Treviso, Italy.

Maro Itoje and Billy Vunipola were magnificent up front, while George Ford argued a strong case to reclaim the flyhalf duties for the World Cup in Japan next month, but players excelled across the whole starting XV.

After England didn't notch a try against Wales in Cardiff last weekend, wing Joe Cokanasiga scored a try in each half, and there were more touchdowns, some of them too easy, from Elliot Daly, Tuilagi, Itoje, George Kruis, Tom Curry, and Luke Cowan-Dickie. Owen Farrell kicked 15 points. They led 22-10 at halftime.

Ireland's Jordan Larmour celebrates scoring during the international match against Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London, Saturday Aug. 24, 2019. (Adam DavyPA via AP)

The victory by eight tries to two eclipsed England's 46-6 win in 1997 in Dublin for its biggest score and margin against its Six Nations rival.

"This was a performance for the 80 minutes but we don't know where Ireland are in their preparation so it can be misleading," England coach Eddie Jones said.

The Irish were left questioning whether a team that labored to third place in the Six Nations was in full reverse.

"We are nowhere near where we need to be," Ireland captain Rory Best said. "The only upside is that it is the middle of August and not the middle of September."

And to add misfortune to misery, they also came off worse on the injury count as prop Cian Healy suffered an ankle injury and scrumhalf Conor Murray was withdrawn at halftime having earlier passed a head injury assessment.

England prop Mako Vunipola followed them into the stands near the end as his comeback following four months out with a hamstring injury took a worrying twist.

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