Pool D continued at the Rugby World Cup tonight as England contested their second fixture at the Stade de Nice. After a rousing, George Ford-inspired 27-10 defeat of Argentina that came despite Tom Curry’s early red card in Marseille, Steve Borthwick’s side have received a much-needed confidence boost after a horror build-up to the tournament. Another win this evening now has them firmly on course to go through to the quarter-finals as group winners.
Japan are always viewed by the heavyweights as a potential World Cup danger after huge wins over the likes of Ireland, Scotland and South Africa in recent years, though this current crop is not quite of the same quality and they notably tired late on here. The Brave Blossoms - who had major scrum issues as they were blown away at Twickenham last autumn - were very competitive but tries from Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant broke their resolve.
Ludlam’s first-half score was a gift from a disrupted lineout, while Lawes had the presence of mind to play to the whistle after an inadvertent headed assist from Joe Marler that most assumed was a knock-on. England showed flashes of excitement when George Ford’s perfect cross-field kick was finished brilliantly by Steward, with Marchant crashing over for the bonus point with the clock in the red. Follow England vs Japan reaction at the Rugby World Cup live below, with expert analysis from Nick Purewal in Nice.
