Marcus Smith and Harlequins teammate Alex Dombrandt caught the eye as an England XV produced a stunning 51-43 win over Barbarians at Twickenham.
Smith had a flawless day from the kicking tee and accrued a personal haul of 26-point as England – with Eddie Jones watching on – crossed for six tries in the victory.
Dombrandt, wearing the Red Rose for the first time in his career after a breakthrough season in the back row for Quins, crossed for a double in the victory.
Twelve months on from defeat to the Baa Baas, this was a much more impressive showing from an inexperienced England side that only included one player with a Guinness Six Nations appearance to their name – replacement prop Paul Hill.
Wasps wing Josh Bassett got the party started for England before Smith slotted the first of what would be three penalties on a sweltering day at Rugby HQ.
James Horwill, playing his last ever game of professional rugby, got the Baa Baas’ first try while Springbok Francois Louw also went over in the first half.
Your @BollingerUK Fans’ Man of the Match is…
Alex Dombrandt
#ENGvBAR #QuilterCup pic.twitter.com/Wds6A1HsAO
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 2, 2019
But England owned the first half with Simon Hammersely, Smith and Dombrandt all dotting down as England turned on the style.
In the second half Johnny Williams went over and England’s victory was turning into a rout.
But the Barbarians rolled up their sleeves and came roaring back as Mark Atkinson got a double and Rhodri Williams also went over.
Smith’s boot kept England in front despite Dave Heffernan also going over and it was left to the impressive back-rower Dombrandt to wriggle over at the death and put England past the half century.
There was still time for Taqele Naiyaravoro to touch down in the left corner and Horwill said farewell with a celebratory conversion attempt that went miles wide to the delight of the crowd.
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Source: 6 Nations