A strong first-half performance propelled England to a comfortable 38-7 win over the Crusaders on Tuesday.

The hosts were without a number of first-choice players, who are currently on duty with the New Zealand national squad. England also fielded a few second-stringers, but were always going to be the favourites in this clash.

The tourists scored four tries in the first half, and Danny Cipriani was especially impressive in that flyhalf role. With regular No 10 Owen Farrell ruled out of the third and final Test against the All Blacks this Saturday, Cipriani may be asked to fill the void.

The Crusaders were more competitive at the breakdowns in the second half, with flanker Matt Todd proving especially effective. They were, however, unable to convert their attacking opportunities, and failed to score a single point in the second stanza.

Crusaders – Tries: Matt Todd. Conversions: Tom Taylor.
England – Tries: Joe Gray, Ben Foden, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode, Anthony Watson, Chris Pennell. Conversions: Danny Cipriani (3), Stephen Myler.

Crusaders – 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Rey Lee-Lo, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Nafi Tuitavake, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Joel Everson, 4 Jimmy Tupou, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Tim Perry.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Nick Barrett, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Andrew Ellis, 22 Adam Whitelock, 23 Rob Thompson.

England – 15 Alex Goode, 14 Ben Foden, 13 Henry Trinder, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 Anthony Watson, 10 Danny Cipriani, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Tom Johnson, 7 Matt Kvesic, 6 James Haskell, 5 Dave Attwood, 4 Ed Slater (c), 3 Henry Thomas, 2 Joe Gray, 1 Alex Waller.
Subs: 16 David Ward, 17 Nathan Catt, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Michael Paterson, 20 Richard Wigglesworth, 21 Stephen Myler, 22 Jonny May, 23 Chris Pennell.

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images