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England vs Japan LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as much-improved England seal big win

England 52-13 Japan: Eddie Jones’s side were rampant in scoring seven tries

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 12 November 2022 12:26 EST
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England were much improved against Japan at Twickenham
England were much improved against Japan at Twickenham (Getty Images)

England put last week’s ragged defeat by Argentina firmly behind them when they ran in six tries, plus a penalty try, and played some highly entertaining rugby along the way to overwhelm Japan 52-13 at Twickenham.

Full-back Freddie Steward was the star of the first half as he claimed the opening try and had a hand in scores for Guy Porter and Marcus Smith as England led 24-6 at the break and stretched that lead in the second half through Ellis Genge and Porter.

England lost their way for 20 minutes, allowing Naoto Saito to score Japan’s only try, before a penalty try and a second from Smith finished things off for the hosts. Owen Farrell landed all six conversion attempts as well as an early penalty.

England, who will play Japan again in the pool stage of the World Cup next September, face New Zealand next week, before finishing their autumn internationals against South Africa. Japan, who pushed France and New Zealand close in their previous two games, play France again next Sunday.

Relive all the action from Twickenham with our blog:

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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
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England 38-13 Japan, 63 minutes

England are free kicked at the scrum as Jamie George withdraws his brake foot.

Japan tap and go, switching play to the left and seeking a 50:22. Slightly sliced - the ominpresent Freddie Steward covers and pats the ball down in his own in-goal.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:42
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England 38-13 Japan, 61 minutes

Billy Vunipola introduces himself to Craig Millar in typically muscular manner, the number eight perhaps slightly too high, but managing to avoid any head contact.

There was, however, contact between Vunipola’s hand and the ball - a Japan scrum is the call.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:40
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England 38-13 Japan, 61 minutes

An exasperated ‘ooh’ from Freddie Steward as he comes about six inches short of a 50:22, an aggresive left-ward hop taking his kick out before it crosses the required line. It’s still a superb kick, a great raking punt on the angle from right to left, but it will be a Japan lineout.

Before it can be thrown, an England alteration - Jonny Hill departs, Billy Vunipola arrives, and Maro Itoje moves up to lock.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:38
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TRY! England 38-13 JAPAN (Naoto Saito, 59 minutes)

Really, really sharp from Warner Dearns. Alex Coles strips the ball free from Japanese hands, with Dearns swiftest to react. The lock levers his lanky frame down to just about collect, producing a deceptively deft step to create the space for an offload to Naoto Saito.

Seung-sin Lee adds the conversion from bang in front.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:36
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England 38-6 Japan, 57 minutes

Right, a chance for Japan in English territory. Siosaia Fifita has recently arrived but England have a handle on the great hulking wing, Sam Simmonds and Jamie George in tandem to stop him.

Hang on - Warner Dearns teleports into space and Japan are in!

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:34
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England 38-6 Japan, 56 minutes

Pats on the head for the Japanese front row from their lither teammates as Ji-won Gu and Craig Millar combine to force their English counterparts to go to floor under pressure.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:32
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England 38-6 Japan, 54 minutes

An attempted England clearance is charged down, fortunately skewing straightin to touch rather than ricocheting into an area of danger.

Another change for each side. Naoto Saito for Yutake Nagare at scrum-half for Japan; Alex Coles for Dave Ribbans in a switch of Saints second rows in the English engine room.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:31
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England 38-6 Japan, 53 minutes

Jamie Joseph turns to his bench in a bid to halt England: Craig Millar is on at loosehead and Lappies Labuschagne has arrived in the back row, with Kazuki Himeno shifting to number eight.

Changes for the hosts, too - Mako Vunipola takes the place of Ellis Genge, while Jamie George (who has recovered remarkably speedily from two broken metatarsals) makes his return at hooker, welcomed to the field with a bear hug from the departing Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:30
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TRY! ENGLAND 38-6 Japan (Guy Porter try, 50 minutes)

Another for England! A brilliant bit of improvisation from Owen Farrell and Guy Porter scores his second!

This could become ugly for Japan. Maro Itoje counter rucks firmly and great open spaces appear in the Japan defence. England manage to maintain control of the ball down the left despite an intervening Japanese hand, reaching the fringes of the Japan 22.

With Jack van Poortvliet otherwise engaged, Farrell is alert and plays scrum-half, tickling a lovely little left-footed through-ball for his centre partner to get after. Porter wins the race to it; Farrell’s latest clean strike from the tee extends the lead.

Harry Latham-Coyle12 November 2022 16:25

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