England were much improved against Japan at Twickenham
(Getty Images)
England face Japan in their latest autumn international as they bid to bounce back after a dispiriting defeat to Argentina last week.
The Red Rose went down 30-29 at Twickenham to the Pumas with the loss representing a first on home soil against the South Americans for 16 years.
Eddie Jones has made a number of changes, hoping to kick-start their autumn campaign with the World Cup less than a year away.
Japan will enter the contest with great confidence, having handed the All Blacks a scare last month in Tokyo, fading late to a 38-31 defeat.
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England 52-13 Japan, 80 minutes
Time for one more for England? Manu Tuilagi sets a burly platform on the crash ball, and Freddie Steward is found wonderfull by a wide pass on right right. Steward is chopped down at the ankles by an outstanding cover tackle, and Henry Slade knocks on as he hits an angle in the next phase.
Japan will feed a five metre scrum with the clock in the red…
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 17:03
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England 52-13 Japan, 79 minutes
England threaten another delightful carving after a Japan turnover in their own half, but Henry Slade can’t quite fling a pass away with Jonny May again disappointed on the left touchline.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 17:02
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England 52-13 Japan, 77 minutes
Nearly another! More sparkling handling from England, with Owen Farrell, now moving totally freely after that apparent issue, knifing between two tacklers and offloading.
Henry Slade guides a grubber for Jonny May to chase, but it slides slightly off the outside of the boot and into touch in goal. May looks to the heavens – he’d have got there first.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:59
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TRY! ENGLAND 52-13 Japan (Marcus Smith try, 74 minutes)
Three kicks and England are in!
Crossfield; chip; hack ahead – England show a range of skills with the boot to hit fifty. Marcus Smith finds Freddie Steward on the right, Steward forced to stall to catch but still with space in front of him. The full-back-cum-wing chips ahead, with the bounce of the ball catching out the Japanese pendulum defender, allowing Henry Slade to produce a rather more rushed stab onwards.
It skews to the left, spinning and bouncing perfectly for Marcus Smith to gather and flop over. Owen Farrell converts.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:55
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England 45-13 Japan, 73 minutes
Ji-Won Gu is helped off the pitch – a solid enough effort from the Japan tighthead after some early scrum-time frights against Ellis Genge.
Kotaro Matsushima knocks Ben Youngs’ box kick into touch.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:54
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England 45-13 Japan, 72 minutes
England spill the restart. The seldom-sighted Kotaro Matsushima darts into Marcus Smith, generating Japanese momentum.
That rather stalls it! A crunching hit from Owen Farrell, whose lower limb injury appears to have healed.
Japan manage to get a pass over the top of a leaping Jonny May, but the cover defence is sound, and Japan are forced into touch.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:53
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TRY! ENGLAND 45-13 Japan (Penalty try, 70 minutes)
Japan bring the maul down illegally and referee James Doleman trots beneath the posts!
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:49
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England 38-13 Japan, 69 minutes
Bright from Jonny May, timing his blitz around the corner perfectly to force a knock on from Naoto Saito. A Japan player in front of the scrum half then picks up to prevent England capitalising further, which upgrades the scrum to a penalty.
Another penalty at the lineout allows Marcus Smith to advance his forward pack further.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:48
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England 38-13 Japan, 65 minutes
Japan on the attack as the action resumes after those changes. A sustained period sees Warner Dearns go mighty close, with Tom Curry just able to wrestle the lock to the floor.
Dylan Riley nutmegs Henry Slade and dashes after his kick through, but Owen Farrell is back to defuse the danger.
That will be a worry for Eddie Jones, though – Farrell grimaces as he slides to ground the ball, and isn’t moving particularly freely as he rejoins his teammates for the goalline drop out. He’ll continue with England out of replacements, but one to monitor.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:46
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England 38-13 Japan, 64 minutes
England make three more changes. On come: Ben Youngs to a smattering of boos; Manu Tuilagi to an excited ooh; and Henry Slade with a great roar as the centre wins his 50th cap.
Jack van Poortvliet, Guy Porter and Joe Cokanasiga off. Freddie Steward moves to the wing with Slade at full back and Tuilagi alongside Owen Farrell in midfield.
Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:44