It looks like England are starting to find their feet in this tournament, after what was, in the end, a fine win over a spirited Tongan side.

This was the ultimate pressure situation for the defending champions, facing a win or bust match against a team that were fresh from almost beating the same squad that demolished England earlier in the group phase.

The English performance from their game against South Africa would have been a losing one tonight, but they produced when they most needed it.

However, in order to beat Australia in the quarter-finals they will have to raise the bar yet again. It took over 60 minutes to gain real superiority in the tight, enabling the back division to finally click into gear.

The most popular score of the night came from the much maligned Andy Farrell, still adapting to this version of the game after almost an entire career playing Rugby League, who sliced the Tongan defence open with a beautifully angled run.

But with there being little inspiration to ignite the backs, apart from in that moment, coach Brian Ashton knows that it will be an uphill task down in Marseille against a brutally efficient Australian side.

The Tongans head back to the Pacific with their heads held high, coming so close to upsetting South Africa themselves and also beating Samoa for the first time in seven years on their way to an all-time high in the world rankings of twelth.