JOSH Lewsey sent the records tumbling with five tries as England annihilated Uruguay 111-13 to take their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The England full back equalled Rory Underwood's five-timer against Fiji at Twickenham back in 1989, and Dan Lambert's five against France in 1907, as England scored 17 tries in all and ran in their highest-ever World Cup score.

'It's the stuff that boyhood dreams are made of,' said Lewsey. 'But the performance was most important.There were some very good tries today, but we have bigger challenges ahead.

'I wasn't aware at the time that it was a record, but Jason Leonard told me. The midfield had a very good game and we showed what we are made of.'

Head coach Clive Woodward was more delighted, however, that England's plans to stay in Brisbane for next week's quarter-final were confirmed with the top spot in Pool C.

'All our planning revolved around us staying here,' said Woodward. 'We're right on track and I believe this is a big-match team.'

Woodward's mood was further boosted when he learned that a second-half injury to two-try Iain Balshaw was not as bad as first feared. The Bath wing appeared to damage an ankle in a two-man tackle and was taken off on a stretcher.

'We think it's a minor ankle sprain. He's got it strapped,' said Woodward.

Martin Corry also suffered a slight twinge in a hamstring and was replaced by Martin Johnson.

Woodward, however, praised the performance of the entire team and insisted that Lawrence Dallaglio would play in the quarter-final.

'Lawrence had a good game tonight,' said Woodward. 'He's one of the leading players in the world. He'll be playing next weekend.

'I thought Mike Catt had a tremendous game. Now the phoney war is over and I'm looking forward to the knockout stages.'

Scrum-half Andy Gomarsall also took advantage of his first World Cup start to put some pressure on Matt Dawson and Kyran Bracken with a superb performance.

'It was fantastic to play,' said Gomarsall. 'The atmosphere was unreal with the Barmy Army today, and this is why I play the game.'

Meanwhile, Uruguay assistant coach Paul Healy admitted his side had been outplayed and tired after the effort expended in their triumph against Georgia.

'It's hard to assess England and how they are going because they were much better than us,' said Healy.

'They were very organised. 'Georgia was our focus, and at least we've had a victory.'

Uruguay manager Daniel Vidiella put it into even sharper and more colourful perspective.

'It was the fight of the lion and the mouse,' he said. 'We tackled with great courage. But it was like a Formula One riding against a bicycle.'