England produced their best performance of the year on Sunday, scoring seven tries to beat Australia 45-22 at Twickenham in the Nations Championship. It was the highest points total England have ever recorded against the Wallabies, passing the 44 they managed in a 44-40 win in Sydney in 2016.

The hosts led 19-10 at half-time through tries from Jamie George, Ollie Chessum and Joe Heyes, with Australia replying through Max Jorgensen. Jack van Poortvliet crossed three minutes after the restart to secure the bonus point, and then the game swung decisively England's way.

Henry Pollock, normally a back-row forward, had come on at half-time for the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and found himself playing on the wing. He needed no time to settle, scoring twice in two minutes, in the 55th and 57th minutes, to put England 40-10 ahead and the match beyond doubt.

Australia hit back with tries from Filipo Daugunu and Jeremy Williams, but replacement scrum-half Ben Spencer sealed the win with England's seventh try four minutes from time. Fin Smith kicked five conversions.

The result eased the pressure on head coach Steve Borthwick and lifted England to second in the Northern Hemisphere table, ahead of Ireland on points difference and two points behind France. England now face Japan at Twickenham on Saturday 14 November before meeting New Zealand a week later.