If there were any nerves about a full Guinness Six Nations debut for Joe Cokanasiga, they did not show as he scooped the Guinness man-of-the-match award against Italy.
While Cokanasiga did not score a try, he was a threat throughout for England, starting with a stunning take of a high ball and no-look offload barely a minute in.
That was a sign of things to come as he regularly cut through the Italian defence, both on his right wing, but also through the centre when necessary.
For a 21-year-old, it could not have gone better, and Cokanasiga was understandably thrilled at how the game played out as England ran in eight tries.
He said: “I wanted to get my hands on the ball as soon as I could and that was what happened so it was good.
“We are trying to bring more to the game than just size and power, we want to bring some flair.”
It was an impressive response from England, a fortnight after their first defeat of the Championship in Wales.
Cokanasiga was a late replacement in that game, and was impressed at the way England bounced back against the Azzurri in the 57-14 victory.
He added: “After the Wales game we wanted to react to that and come together as a squad and that was what we did.
“We had a week to put the wrongs right and that was what we did
“You have to take the opportunity with both hands. This gives us good confidence so we will keep trying to build, there is still plenty to improve on.”
