England v Japan LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction after ludicrous try off Joe Marler’s head

Not for the first time this tournament, the turf gives way as both sides engage at the scrum. England have the ball out but Ford’s kick is charged down!

Mitchell does superbly to gather to loose ball and England clear their lines. A lucky escape.

The thoughts of The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle as Japan pull level:

"That interminable maul threw off all of the timing of England's attempts to get both their centres crashing at the line, allowing Japan to counter with speed. Yutaka Nagare's ruck service has been excellent so far - Japan deservedly level."

England try to get Tuilagi into the came but the move goes awry and Japan can break. And break they do, impressively, all the way up the pitch to within just three metres of the line.

With the penalty advantage, Matusda looks for Naikabula with the cross-field kick but it’s just too much and it goes out of play. Back for the penalty...

The Japan fly-half slots it over and this game is level once again.

Up the pitch England go from the penalty, but a free-flowing move eventually ends up in touch again after Elliot Daly can’t keep hold of the ball coming his way. A frenetic, end-to-end start to this fixture so far.

England get themselves in a spot of bother as Daly gets tackled into touch inside their 22. But from the lineout, it’s superb work from England and Joe Marler, in particular,

The prop gets into the ruck quickly and wins England a huge penalty on their tryline.

A match to forget for full-back Masirewa. After knocking on the ball in the first minute, the Japanese player picks up an injury and is unable to continue. Lemeki on in his place

An ideal start from England as The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle sends this in:

"A horror start from Semisi Masirewa, ambling back over his own line and careless in picking it up. His spill leads to the simplest of starters from the tee for George Ford. Intriguingly, Ben Earl was stationed at number eight for England's first scrum - the back rower is wearing the number seven shirt but offers slightly more speed off the base than Lewis Ludlam. I'd expect them to swap when Japan have scrum feed."

Ford slots it over from right in front of the posts and it’s the perfect start for England.

Some thunderous contacts out of the scrum as England look to get over the line. Japan holds firm for now and after a knock on, the referee come back for a penalty.

England opting for the early points.

Anthems sung, pleasantries exchanged as England get us underway in the first half!

And it’s an early sloppy mistake from Japan as Masirewa knocks on a kick on his tryline. A scrum on the five-metre line for England.