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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Luke Baker

England vs Japan LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as impressive England notch big win to finish autumn

England Eddie Jones Japan Rugby Steve Borthwick Tom Curry Twickenham (Geopolitical Entity)

After a difficult November, England finished with a flourish with a 59-14 thrashing of an overmatched Japan and former coach Eddie Jones.

Defeat to South Africa last weekend was a fifth defeat on the spin for Steve Borthwick’s side, and there was little room for experimentation in a first-choice line-up named to end the Autumn Nations Series. But that strong side rewarded their head coach’s faith with an impressive performance, notching a second victory of the year over their opponents to end on a high after ruing several weeks of missed opportunities.

England’s nine tries featured four scored by hookers as Luke Cowan-Dickie matched captain Jamie George’s tally off the bench, while Marcus Smith orchestrated impressively again from fly half. Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Tom Roebuck also dotted down to give the home fans a long-awaited success.

Relive all the action from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:

England vs Japan

  • England thrash Japan 59-14 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in their final autumn fixture
  • Steve Borthwick’s side end a five-match losing run in style
  • Visiting coach Eddie Jones suffers a heavy defeat on his return to Twickenham two years on from his sacking by England
  • REPORT: Impressive England put Japan to the sword but frustrating autumn ends with another missed opportunity
  • FULL-TIME! England 59-14 Japan

Steve Borthwick speaks after England’s win

18:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“I am really pleased with the way the players approached the game. They kept really disciplined to play the way we wanted to play for 80 minutes. You can see the identity of the team we are trying to build. Over the last four weeks, we have scored some outstanding tries with the skill level within the group.

“As you reflect on it, the overriding feeling will be one of frustration. To have come so close to getting results but not converting them in the first three weeks, that will be one emotion. But there is real positivity about some aspects. I want the team to be brave and play fast, and we have seen growth in that.”

Eddie Jones on returning to Twickenham

18:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“It wasn’t bad until some clown abused me going down at half time. But if there is only one clown in 82,000, it’s not too bad. I’m disappointed with the result but it is always good to come to the Home of Rugby. He said something, butI’m not going to repeat what he said because I’ll get in trouble.

On Danny Care’s allegations, Jones says: “I’ll tell you mate, I’ve got a new book deal coming out. It’s called “Caring about Care”. I’m trying to do a deal with the Daily Mail but I haven’t come to an agreement yet. It’ll be a good one. If you want to read about it, it’ll be in my book. I’ll put a whole chapter about caring about Care, just for you.”

On England’s progress under Steve Borthwick: “It’s one of those difficult periods where a team is obviously going through transition. Chandler Cunningham-South looks a prospect. Ollie Lawrence is getting some consistency in his play. You always get that sticky period where in the big games it doesn’t quite work, you get beaten by a point or two points or a penalty. Today, they gave a lesson in pressure rugby. We got suffocated today. They played really well. Knowing Steve fairly well, that’s how he wants to play. It’ll take time but I think they are going in the right direction. They put in a good display of rugby today.”

(David Davies/PA Wire)

Eddie Jones on Japan’s defeat

18:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“When you have got 200 caps [in your side], it means most of the players have played ten Tests or less. When something doesn’t go right, they can’t adapt to it. You only learn by doing it. I look at Marcus [Smith] today and now he is so competent in his decision-making. That’s what you get from 40 Tests. We’ve got to be patient and stick to the process. We want to play differently and want to play faster, and that puts pressure on your skills. There is no magic solution here.”

(David Davies/PA Wire)

Eddie Jones reacts to Japan’s defeat

18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“They are a really young team and we’ve got to accept this is part of the process. I don’t think there is anything we’ve massively improved in or anything we’ve massively gone down in. I’m pleased for Steve [Borthwick] that he won’t have the press hounding him - for seven days at least.

“We didn’t want to get into a box kick contest with England, because they would squeeze us. We didn’t execute as well as we would have liked but the idea was right.”

Marcus Smith urges England to take ‘learnings’ despite Japan victory

18:28 , Luke Baker

“Taking learnings” has been the repeated phrase this autumn - ad nauseam from the England camp as they’ve fully embraced this Borthwick-ism. Even after today’s win there’s no escape, with Marcus Smith urging the team to do so once again.

Smith, speaking to TNT Sports, said: “There are a lot of learnings to take, but it is always good to finish with a win. The autumn did not go the way we wanted but we have taken a lot of learnings in closing games out. Hopefully in the Six Nations we get to carry it on.

“It takes time, there will be pain for a bit, we have stuck together as a group with some experienced boys leading us and hopefully we take it on into the Six Nations.

“The biggest learning is how to close out games, be more ruthless, don’t go into our shells and finish teams off when they are there for the taking. Those small moments in the big games matter and we have to learn quick.”

Ollie Sleightholme reflects on big England win

18:14 , Luke Baker

Winger Ollie Sleightholme was named man of the match after an impressive display and he has given his reaction to the win.

Sleightholme, speaking to TNT Sports, said: “The results have not gone our way, but this week we got our foot down and righted those wrongs from the other weeks.

“We tried to stay positive, there was a lot of good stuff to take from these performances.”

REPORT: Impressive England put Japan to the sword but frustrating autumn ends with another missed opportunity

17:59 , Luke Baker

After a November of frets and frustration came a chance for fun and frolics for England. Few questions may have been answered about this England team in this Twickenham thrashing, but at least we know that Steve Borthwick’s side can beat Japan; a 59-14 slaying of their visitors ended a run of five successive defeats since they last put their callow opponents to the sword in June.

There were no need for any final-quarter quivers or quibbles after the sort of ruthless, rollicking performance that Steve Borthwick would have demanded. The England head coach had ventured nothing in the search of longer-term gain, naming a first-choice side and tasking them with releasing their autumn angst and anger on an overmatched Japan. They duly obliged, piling points and pain on Eddie Jones, a polarising preacher unable to cause further upset in his past parish.

Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s full report from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham:

England put Japan to the sword but frustrating year ends with another missed chance

FULL-TIME! England 59-14 Japan

17:58 , Luke Baker

Let’s be frank, this performance doesn’t erase what has been a very frustrating autumn for England but they played some really nice stuff to spectacularly dispatch Japan. There was no happy return to Twickenham for ex-boss Eddie Jones.

Nine tries for England, including a lovely first international score for Tom Roebuck

FULL-TIME! England 59-14 Japan

17:53 , Luke Baker

England turn the ball over but then knock on, so it’s all over! Impressive display by England, who stick nine tries on Japan. Some promising performances to finish the autumn off

(Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)

England 59-14 Japan, 80 minutes

17:51 , Luke Baker

Lineout comes to nothing, so a Japan scrum. Final knockings here.

England 59-14 Japan, 79 minutes

17:51 , Luke Baker

The maul is messy but England given the penalty as Epineri Uluiviti changed his bind and Yukio Morikawa came in from the side.

Another five-metre lineout for England with 60 seconds left.

England 59-14 Japan, 78 minutes

17:50 , Luke Baker

One final try for England to reach a nice round 10? A few phases in the 22 before Fin Smith grubbers through but a frantic Japan defence seize upon it and boot clear to the 22.

England 59-14 Japan, 76 minutes

17:49 , Luke Baker

Expansive again from Japan as Tatafu lofts a long pass out to Naikabula but it’s clearly forward, so another England scrum on halfway.

The replacement front row are again solid, the ball is spread left and Smith pulls off a 50-22! Pin-perfect kick that bounces out of play to give England another attacking platform.

England 59-14 Japan, 74 minutes

17:46 , Luke Baker

England’s replacement front row wins the penalty. And young Opoku-Fordjour is getting slaps on his back from teammates.

Safely cleared up to halfway.

England 59-14 Japan, 73 minutes

17:44 , Luke Baker

Lineout to the back and it’s knocked on by Japan as Tatafu tries to grab it above his head. Scrappy.

Scrum to England on their own five-metre line.

England 59-14 Japan, 72 minutes

17:43 , Luke Baker

Japan fancy getting a third try here as they attack and move into the England 22.

They loft a long pass out to the right that bounces into touch but England are caught offside. Penalty five metres out, pretty central. Kick to touch for the five-metre lineout...

TRY! England 59-14 Japan (Tom Roebuck, 69 minutes)

17:41 , Luke Baker

It’s not long until it’s another England try and this time Tom Roebuck gets in on the act.

A long pass is looped out to him on the right and it’s a sublime finish and he drives into the 22 by handing off a defender, dances past another player and goes under the posts, giving Smith a simple conversion.

England 52-14 Japan, 68 minutes

17:39 , Luke Baker

Another cracking kick through, this time from Randall and Japan are pinned inside their own 22 once more. Lineout disrupted and England have possession.

TRY! England 52-14 Japan (Luke Cowan-Dickie, 65 minutes)

17:37 , Luke Baker

England aren’t stopped for long though. And it’s Luke Cowan-Dickie again! He picks up, gets low and drives his powerful legs to burrow over the whitewash.

A fouth try for England’s hookers today! Simple conversion for Smith and England are cruising once more.

England 45-14 Japan, 64 minutes

17:35 , Luke Baker

England look like they’re going to score after quick hands to the right sends Fin Smith gliding through. He cuts inside the final man but is stopped a couple of metres from the line...

TRY! England 45-14 Japan (Kazuki Himeno, 62 minutes)

17:34 , Luke Baker

That’s another nice score by Japan. Gorgeous hands from Tevita Tatafu sends Tomoki Osada gliding through the line.

A phase later, the ball is offloaded to Kazuki Himeno and he dives over the line. Really good stuff.

TRY! England 45-7 Japan (Luke Cowan-Dickie, 60 minutes)

17:31 , Luke Baker

Indeed it is. Itoje claims the lineout, the maul rumbles forward and Luke Cowan-Dickie goes himself off the right edge.

He seems to be stopped but spins through one tackle and then powers through another for the try. Not great Japanese defence but good resilience from Cowan-Dickie on what has been a prolific day for the England hookers!

Smith hits the left post with the conversion.

England 40-7 Japan, 59 minutes

17:29 , Luke Baker

Takato Okabe caught offside and England have a penalty just outside the 22, which Marcus Smith - who is now playing at full back with Fin Smith coming on at 10 - duly kicks to the corner.

Try number seven incoming?

England 40-7 Japan, 56 minutes

17:26 , Luke Baker

Big moment for 20-year-old Asher Opoku-Fordjour, as the Sale Sharks prop comes on for his England debut.

He’s a super-talented youngster, who has shone at under-20s level, and there’s debate over whether he’ll be a tighthead or loosehead in the long term but he’s playing tighthead today. Go well, big fella.

TRY! England 40-7 Japan (George Furbank, 54 minutes)

17:25 , Luke Baker

Tommy Freeman that is sublime! England’s sixth try and the Northampton man has come up with a moment of magic.

From the overthrown lineout, England spread the ball quickly right, Smith pokes a grubber kick through and Freeman gives chase. He grabs the ball and is careering into touch but flicks an offload behind his back, out the back of his hand and George Furbank is on hand to catch and dive over the line.

Lovely stuff! Smith misses the conversion but what a piece of skill by Freeman!

England 35-7 Japan, 53 minutes

17:23 , Luke Baker

England playing more a territory game so far in the second half and doing so fairly effectively. Putting boot to ball to make decent gains - they haven’t had a sustained spell of possession yet to flex their attacking muscles though.

Fin Baxter on for Ellis Genge in the front row and Baxter immediately seizes upon an overthrown lineout

England 35-7 Japan, 52 minutes

17:20 , Luke Baker

England stop tthe Japanese maul. They’re keeping it tight in the forwards in the 22 but the England defence now on top and has driven them back a few metres.

They resort to a fairly aimless kick, Freeman calls mark and then boots the ball into touch ten metres in the Japan half. A territory gain of 45 metres there by England - good stuff.

England 35-7 Japan, 50 minutes

17:18 , Luke Baker

The scrum wheels and it’s England who are pinged. The referee says Japan were going forward first. Whoops and hollers from the Japanese pack. They’ve got a base to build from with a lineout on the 22.

England 35-7 Japan, 49 minutes

17:17 , Luke Baker

Scrappy is the word for this second half so far. England have another scrum near halfway and they’ll have a new scrum-half and hooker for it.

Luke Cowan-Dickie on for two-try Jamie George and Jack van Poortvliet takes a breather as Harry Randall enters the fray. This could be the sort of game where the nippy Bristol No 9 thrives.

England 35-7 Japan, 47 minutes

17:15 , Luke Baker

Marauding run forward by Japan lock Sanaila Waqa but he then just drops the ball. There was no contact, he was mid-maraud and just floors the ball for the knock-on. Sums things up for Japan at the moment.

England clear from the scrum and Japan suddenly in their own half. Neat work down the left sees Dylan Riley offload to Tomoki Osada and he surges into the England half.

England 35-7 Japan, 45 minutes

17:13 , Luke Baker

They cannot! Great defensive lineout work by Maro Itoje as he outjumps his opposite man to cleanly pinch replacement hooker Kenta Matsuoka’s throw in the air.

England clear their lines

England 35-7 Japan, 44 minutes

17:12 , Luke Baker

Japan rumble forward into the 22 and England penalised as the ref tells them you can’t dive on to the ball within one metre of the ruck.

Kick to the corner, can Japan score here from five metres?

England 35-7 Japan, 42 minutes

17:11 , Luke Baker

Japan wih some early pressure in this second half. They win a penalty, go quickly and get into the 22.

A grubber kick in behind has England scrambling but Marcus Smith dives to stop Jone Naikabula getting to the ball and Ben Earl secures the ball on the deck. They’re right on their own line but England exit well and kick clear out of the 22.

KICK-OFF! England 35-7 Japan

17:08 , Luke Baker

And we’re underway in the second half. The final 40 minutes of England’s Autumn Nations Series campaign.

They’ll hope to keep their foot on the gas after an impressive first half and it will be interesting to see how their bench goes - whether the intensity perhaps drops off.

HT: England 35-7 Japan

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

After a slightly shaky start, England have warmed to their work rather impressively as their confidence has swollen. Japan have been unable to get to grips with Ollie Lawrence particularly, while a willingness to pass and offload at the line has caused all manner of problems. Steve Borthwick urged his team to be braver in that regard this week:

“I think we’ve got a great skilled group of players,” the head coach said. “I think the work that [assistant coaches] Andrew Strawbridge and Richard Wigglesworth are doing with developing the handling skills, offloading skills of players, you have seen an increase in our offloading. I want that to go further than where it currently is now.

“I think we’re a team, start talking about that athletic nature team, we’re a team that is going to carry and identify space and then not let the defence recover. If we don’t need to have a breakdown, I don’t want to have a breakdown. I want the players to be able to move the ball.”

We’ve seen exactly that in the first half, including in the lead-up to Ollie Sleightholme’s well-taken score.

HALF-TIME! England 35-7 Japan

16:55 , Luke Baker

And that’s half-time! Breathless stuff at Allianz Stadium but England’s attack has been clinical to the tune of five tries, with four of those coming from lineout ball.

The one blip was Naoto Saito finishing off a breakaway try for Japan but Steve Borthwick’s side doing what they’re supposed to so far.

(Getty Images)

England 35-7 Japan, 39 minutes

16:52 , Luke Baker

A final chance for Japan before the break. England pinged for holding on in the tackle and the penalty is kicked into the 22 by the visitors.

They run some phases, rumbling for a few metres but Faulua Makisi is eventually pinged for a neck roll - more wrestling move than ruck clearout on Will Stuart! England boot clear

TRY! England 35-7 Japan (Ollie Sleightholme, 37 minutes)

16:51 , Luke Baker

England immediately hit back! It’s a bit scrappy in midfield but a spin, then a neat Lawrence offload gives Will Stuart a bit of space.

That’s some pass by the prop, loopign the ball out to Cunningham-South, he feeds Ollie Sleightholme on the right wing and he grubber kicks past the final man before diving on the ball for try number five.

Smith stays perfect from the tee.

TRY! England 28-7 Japan (Naoto Saito, 34 minutes)

16:48 , Luke Baker

But just as I say that, Japan go the length of the pitch and get a try of their own! There’s nothing particularly deceiving about it - they go wide in their own 22 and Dylan Riley rumbles forward before selling George Furbank a dummy.

Suddenly there’s green grass in front of him, he draws the final defender and pops to Naoto Saito for the run-in under the posts.

Skipper Saito then adds the easy conversion himself. England sliced apart too easily there.

England 28-0 Japan, 33 minutes

16:46 , Luke Baker

A job well done for England so far

(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

TRY! England 28-0 Japan, 32 minutes

16:44 , Luke Baker

The Japanese maul defence initially holds up better this time but here come the England backs to add some extra grunt!

And now the maul is moving, grinding forward and there it is! Jamie George again the man at the bottom of the pile who grounds the ball.

Smith adds the extras and England have been completely dominant here - barely been in their own half.

England 21-0 Japan, 30 minutes

16:43 , Luke Baker

A reprieve for Japan but their scrum is totally obliterated by an angry England front row. Looshead Takato Okabe the man pinged but the entire Japanese pack was in disarrya.

England kick back to the corner. Will they be denied this time?

NO TRY! England 21-0 Japan, 29 minutes

16:41 , Luke Baker

Try number four, scored in the corner by England. After Smith’s snipe, Van Poortvliet quickly goes right, Slade then helps the ball on to Tommy Freeman on the flank and he acrobatically dots down in the corner.

But hold on! A late intervention from the TMO, checking for a knock-on from Van Poortvliet at the base of the ruck. It’s the slightest of knocks forward - very pernickity but yep, it’s been ruled out. Boos from the Allianz Stadium crowd!

England 21-0 Japan, 28 minutes

16:39 , Luke Baker

Another nice first-phase move from the lineout as Henry Slade comes on the wraparound. Marcus Smith then snipes to take England within ten metres of the line

England 21-0 Japan, 27 minutes

16:38 , Luke Baker

Scrum shenanigans on halfway but in the end, England’s front row are solid and drive their opposite numbers off the ball to win a penalty.

Cries of “good scrum, good scrum” from the home pack and you know what, it was! Smith boots England into the Japan 22 where they’ll have another lineout.

TRY! England 21-0 Japan (Jamie George, 24 mins)

16:35 , Luke Baker

Itoje claims the lineout and the maul heaves towards the line. Its progress is inexorable as the backs get involved and it’s skipper Jamie George who eventually flops over the line for try number three.

Pleasingly efficient stuff from the lineout so far today. A marginally tougher conversion for Smith but same result. England just short of a point per minute at the moment.

England 14-0 Japan, 22 mins

16:33 , Luke Baker

The scrum is scrappy and again we’ve got a reset but eventually Japan get the ball cleanly away. They runa few phases on their own 22 but then opt to hoof clear over halfway.

England build from halfway and earn a penalty for offside. Smith kicks to the corner, finding touch five metres out, and England are going for the jugular here.

England 14-0 Japan, 19 mins

16:29 , Luke Baker

England again with a lineout just outside the 22. We’ve been here before... Cunningham-South – just on for Sam Underhill, who injured himself in the act of scoring – lifted and cleanly takes before the maul makes a few metres.

Ball flung out to the backs but Lawrence is too ambitious with an offload from within the tackle and the ball goes loose. Japan scrum.

England skipper Jamie George in the referee’s ear, telling him to watch the mark, believing Japan are trying to steal some yards.

England 14-0 Japan

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham

This is a powerful and purposeful start from England. Ollie Lawrence has been dominant in the carry so far and given the hosts real impetus, with Japan a little soft defensively. It is a shame, though, to see Sam Underhill limp off - his wretched injury record remains a real concern. Chandler Cunningham-South is on; Tom Curry slides across to seven.

(Getty Images)

England 14-0 Japan, 16 mins

16:27 , Luke Baker

A bit too easy for England so far, dare we say? They’re being more clinical in the 22 for sure, though.

Great run back by Van Poortvliet from a too-deep kick. Makes 15 metres as he glides past men. Lawrence then with a bruising carry to knock a man backwards.

Tommy Freeman’s grubber then just goes into touch.

TRY! England 14-0 Japan (Sam Underhill, 14 mins)

16:25 , Luke Baker

And that’s try number two! England lineout is clean and takes them within five metres. Sam Underhill then picks at the base of a ruck and powers through three men to stretch and dot down for the score.

Two tries, both from lineout ball. Simple conversion added.

England 7-0 Japan, 13 mins

16:24 , Luke Baker

Van Poortvliet snipes a gap and offloads to George. The ball bobbles slightly but England now within five metres.

Pass intercepted but abck for a penalty with Naikabula offside. England kick to the corner...

England 7-0 Japan, 12 mins

16:22 , Luke Baker

Nice score by England that although early concerns for the Japan defence given how easily Lawrence slipped through.

England again earn territory with the kick and have another lineout just outside the 22. Crash ball for Lawrence, into the 22...

TRY! England 7-0 Japan (Ben Earl, 10 minutes)

16:21 , Luke Baker

Decent territory win for England as they pin Japan deep with a kick and now have a lineout just outside the 22. Maro Itoje rises high to claim and here we go!

Quick hands, flat pass from Smith to a marauding Ollie Lawrence on a stunning line, he slips between two defenders, offloads to the supporting Ben Earl and it’s a run-in under the sticks.

Easy conversion and England on the board first.

(Getty Images)

England 0-0 Japan, 8 minutes

16:19 , Luke Baker

Decent England lineout and the maul makes a few metres towards halfway. Back to the box kick by Van Poortvliet and Naikabula bobbles it but grabs ont he second attempt.

Nice dummy by Japan fly half Nik McCurran makes a few extra metres but it’s all in their own half and they too opt for the boot. Picked up by Marcus Smith and the crowd momentarily gets excited but he’s stopped in his tracks.

England 0-0 Japan, 6 minutes

16:17 , Luke Baker

First bit of England possession, around halfway but the Japanese defence is solid and Jack van Poortvliet opts for the box kick. It’s windy here in London, so not the worst idea.

A loose bouncing ball claimed by Jamie George but turned over immediately, Japan with the crossfield kick and Jone Naikabula tries to hack ahead but skews the ball into touch. Ugly stuff early on here.

MISSED PENALTY! England 0-0 Japan, 4 minutes

16:15 , Luke Baker

Japan scrum-half Naoto Saito and his long-range attempt has the distance but drift wide of the left upright. Let-off for England

England 0-0 Japan, 3 minutes

16:14 , Luke Baker

Scrum reset before Japan awarded the fre-kick and they go quickly. Penalty coming now, an England player not rolling away and early disciplinary problems for the hosts again.

Japan will go for the posts from just inside the England half...

England 0-0 Japan, 2 minutes

16:12 , Luke Baker

England playing in their changed, dark red strip today with Japan in their classic red and white stripes.

Big tackle early from England drives the visitors back but they give up a penalty in the process. However, Nik McCurran misses touch before England try to find space in the backfield witha kick over the top but the ball runs dead, so a scrum back on halfway

KICK-OFF! England 0-0 Japan

16:10 , Luke Baker

And we’re underway at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. What does today hold for Steve Borthwick’s men?

England vs Japan

16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Out the players come with a bit of rain falling at Twickenham, the wind whipping the precipitation around the Allianz Stadium. It’s warm, though - 15 degrees even in the evening gloom.

England vs Japan

16:00 , Luke Baker

Warm-ups complete and we’re about 10 minutes away from kick-off here in Twickenham. Can England end their autumn on a high?

(Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
(Andrew Matthews/PA Wire)
(Getty Images)
(AFP via Getty Images)

England vs Japan match officials

15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Craig Evans (Wales)

Assistant Referee 1: Andrea Piardi (Italy)

Assistant Referee 2: Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

TMO: Olly Hodges (Ireland)

FPRO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)

(Getty Images)

Asher Opoku-Fordjour tipped to shine on debut

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Asher Opoku-Fordjour should, at some point today, become England’s ninth debutant of the year. There is considerable excitement about a 20-year-old prop already performing strongly in the Premiership, with the youngster’s ability to play on both sides of the front row only enhancing his chances of a long stint at international level.

“We are all very excited,” Jamie George said on Friday. “I haven’t worked with Asher for that long but I have been impressed with how he has come in, applied himself and been keen to learn. A player that age, able to play both sides at Premiership level and getting his opportunity now at international level is very exciting. So the focus for the rest of us, particularly in the pack is to make sure it is a very special day for him.

“He’s a very, very talented scrummager. He has a very, very strong core, which is probably the reason why he’s so effective on both sides.”

To learn a bit more about Opoku-Fordjour, here’s a chat with him from a little earlier this year:

Asher Opoku-Fordjour: ‘I don’t really know what my ceiling is — I want to do it all’

Jamie George warns England to prepare for unexpected from Eddie Jones

15:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamie George has braced England to face the unexpected when Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham in Sunday’s climax to the Autumn Nations Series.

For the first time since he was sacked in 2022, Jones will come up against the side he coached for seven years on their home turf as he plots a famous upset for his Japan team.

England are overwhelming favourites to end their five-Test losing run against opponents ranked 13th in the world, but George insists Jones is capable of ripping up the script.

Jamie George warns England to prepare for unexpected from Eddie Jones

England vs Japan

15:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Eddie Jones opened his second spell as Japan boss with a 52-17 defeat in Tokyo in June, but captain Naoto Saito insists his Brave Blossoms are now a more dangerous side.

“England are really dominant in the set-piece and under the high ball and I’m sure they will bring those threats against us,” Saito said.

“Of course we have counter measures for that and how we use those will be really important to our game. We’ve been focusing on ourselves.

“We started this campaign playing against England. We’ve gone 10 games deep now and are playing them away from home.

“We are really keen to show how much we have developed our attacking game. Against England’s fast line speed we really want to nail our accuracy in attack. That’s the part of the game that we would like to continue to develop.”

Japan team news

15:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Japan are without hulking lock Warner Dearns, who has been given a four-match ban after his sending off against Uruguay. Eddie Jones shuffles his playmakers in the absence of Harumichi Tatekawa, with Nik McCurran handed an opportunity at fly half and Takuro Matsunaga providing extra distributing hands from full-back. Six forwards are included on the bench.

Japan XV: 1 Takato Okabe, 2 Mamoru Harada, 3 Shuhei Takeuchi; 4 Sanaila Waqa, 5 Epineri Uluiviti; 6 Kanji Shimokawa, 7 Kazuki Himeno, 8 Faulua Makisi; 9 Naoto Saito (captain), 10 Nicholas McCurran; 11 Jone Naikabula, 12 Siosaia Fifita, 13 Dylan Riley, 14 Tomoki Osada; 15 Takuro Matsunaga.

Replacements: 16 Seunghyuk Lee, 17 Yukio Morikawa, 18 Keijiro Tamefusa, 19 Daichi Akiyama, 20 Tevita Tatafu, 21 Ben Gunter; 22 Shinobu Fujiwara, 23 Yusuke Kajimura.

England team news

15:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Borthwick names his strongest possible side for the final game of England’s autumn. Tom Curry returns from a second concussion of the season to start in a mobile back row, uniting with Sam Underhill in a partnership that worked so well for Eddie Jones at the 2019 World Cup. George Furbank is recalled in the place of Freddie Steward at full-back, while 20-year-old prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour (who can play on both sides of the scrum but covers tighthead here) is set to make his debut.

England XV: 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George (captain), 3 Will Stuart; 4 Maro Itoje, 5 George Martin; 6 Tom Curry, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Ben Earl; 9 Jack van Poortvliet, 10 Marcus Smith; 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 12 Henry Slade, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 14 Tommy Freeman; 15 George Furbank.

Replacements: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Asher Opoku-Fordjour, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South; 21 Harry Randall, 22 Fin Smith, 23 Tom Roebuck.

Complex legacy of Eddie Jones era adds intrigue to England’s must-win clash with Japan

15:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It was with not inconsiderable disappointment that news came through on Friday afternoon that illness had laid Eddie Jones low and the Japan head coach would be unable to conduct a planned press conference. As is often the case with the truculent Australian, it has been impossible to escape his name in the build-up to this weekend’s clash between his employers new and old; talk of the Eddie era seeming to bounce out of the whispering walls and ornate corners of the Pennyhill Park training base he used to patrol.

Complex legacy of Eddie Jones era adds intrigue to England’s clash with Japan

Eddie Jones will relish pantomime villain role, claims Ellis Genge

14:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ellis Genge knows Japan boss Eddie Jones will be happy performing the role of pantomime villain when he plots England’s downfall at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.

Jones is facing England at Twickenham for the first time since he was sacked in 2022 and the 64-year-old returns under a cloud because of claims made about his management style during his seven years in charge.

Danny Care, former red rose scrum-half, earlier this month described the environment he created as “toxic”, adding that his reign was like “living in a dictatorship”.

Eddie Jones will relish pantomime villain role, claims Ellis Genge

England vs Japan talking points: A glimpse of the future

14:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are hoping to have unearthed a gem when Asher Opoku-Fordjour makes his debut off the bench. A junior World Cup winner with the under-20s during the summer, big things are expected of the Sale prop who has been talked up by front row veterans Dan Cole and Joe Marler. Borthwick has been impressed by his dynamic play in the loose, set-piece expertise and the ability to play on both sides of the scrum, which makes him particularly valuable in a World Cup squad. With England’s depth at prop a problem area, especially at tighthhead, Opoku-Fordjour’s arrival could be well timed.

Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set to make his England debut (John Walton/PA) (PA Wire)

England vs Japan talking points: Eddie’s back

14:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Eddie Jones has been unavailable for online media duties this week because of a cold, but the Japan boss will be able to attend his first match against England at Twickenham. The Australian’s absence – described by his assistant Neal Hatley as a “precautionary measure” – has come at a time when his management style has been under intense scrutiny following claims made by Danny Care that he oversaw a “toxic” environment during his seven years in charge of England. Care added that Jones behaved like a “tyrant” and his view has since been backed up by Danny Cipriani. Jones has yet to respond to the allegations and on Sunday he will be given an insight into his standing among red rose fans through the reception he receives.

Five talking points as England end Autumn Nations Series against Japan

England vs Japan talking points:

14:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

“They are a team that don’t ever let you rest, don’t give you a moment to turn your back” was the appraisal of Japan offered by England assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge. It is a reference to the ‘Chosoku rugby’ playing style adopted by Jones that emphasises speed in attack and a willingness to strike from anywhere on the field. It swept them to the Pacific Nations Cup final in September, but they were then thumped 41-17 by Fiji. They have since shipped 116 points to under-strength New Zealand and France sides with last Saturday’s 36-20 win over Uruguay ending the sequence of heavy defeats.

Japan scrum half Naoto Saito will play with speed (Getty Images)

England vs Japan talking points: Finish on a high

14:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England face their easiest assignment of the autumn against a Japan side that have sunk to 13th in the world rankings. Steve Borthwick’s men are 1/80 favourites to end their five-Test losing run and any other outcome would be an upset of seismic proportions. After the gloom of seeing New Zealand, Australia and South Africa storm Twickenham this month, only a comprehensive victory and assured performance will pause the debate over whether England are in crisis. But with Ireland first up in the Six Nations, it could soon start again.

(Mike Egerton/PA Wire)

TNT Sports encouraged by Autumn Nations Series viewing figures

13:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The November rugby internationals have seen strong levels of interest across Europe with executives at governing bodies and broadcasters understood to be pleased with viewing figures.

TNT Sports, who are in their first year as the UK broadcaster of the Autumn Nations Series after taking over from Amazon, are said to be particularly encouraged by the week-on-week growth in interest in their first significant, sustained involvement in international rugby.

The England vs South Africa clash last weekend set a new record rugby audience for the channel, formerly BT Sport, with interest in line with top Premier League and Champions League games.

TNT Sports encouraged by Autumn Nations Series viewing figures

Fin Baxter ‘desperate’ to end losing streak as England sign off against Japan

13:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fin Baxter enters Sunday’s clash against Eddie Jones’ Japan with the twin aims of securing his first win for England and finishing the autumn on an upbeat note.

England are overwhelming favourites to end their five-Test losing run against opponents ranked 13th in the world having already fallen to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa at Allianz Stadium this month.

Baxter’s five caps have all been won during the nation’s worst sequence of results since 2018 but the 22-year-old prop is still able to appreciate his exposure to the unforgiving side of international rugby.

Fin Baxter ‘desperate’ to end losing streak as England sign off against Japan

Tom Curry ‘desperate’ to face Japan despite recent concussion – Steve Borthwick

13:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England have defended the decision to recall Tom Curry for Sunday’s clash with Japan even though he was knocked out against Australia a fortnight ago.

Curry will reprise his destructive ‘Kamikaze Kids’ partnership with Sam Underhill for the first time since the 2023 World Cup after being chosen at blindside flanker at the expense of Chandler Cunningham-South.

The selection has been made despite the Sale back row sustaining his second concussion of the season and fifth in two years when his head struck the knee of Australia’s Rob Valentini while making a tackle on November 9, forcing him to miss last Saturday’s defeat by South Africa.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso also sustained a head injury against the Wallabies but his recovery has not progressed as smoothly so the Exeter wing has been stood down for the Springboks and Japan games.

Tom Curry ‘desperate’ to face Japan despite recent concussion – Steve Borthwick

Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight

13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Borthwick has named a strong England side, not risking rotation with the hosts in need of a win, but one selection has drawn particular criticism. Tom Curry suffered his second concussion of the season against Australia yet returns just two weeks on - Luke Baker explores a difficult issue that many feel rugby isn’t getting right:

Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight

England vs Japan LIVE

Saturday 23 November 2024 16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Good afternoon and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of England’s final Autumn Nations Series fixture against Japan. Three November defeats have extended England’s run without a win to five games, leaving them in need of a strong finish against a familiar foe in former coach Eddie Jones.

Kick off at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham is at 4.10pm GMT.

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