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
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:
PEN! France 22-23 South Africa (Ramos, 59 mins)
Easy enough for Ramos from the tee and we’re back to one point in it.
A slew of subs there as Cobus Reinach is on for Faf de Klerk at scrum-half, while Deon Fourie comes on in the back row for Kwagga Smith.
Peato Mauvaka also on for France
France 19-23 South Africa, 57 mins
And France do respond! They’re into the South Africa 22 and the crowd are back into it. Willemse make a mess of the kick and that allows Ntamack to spin out of a tackle and make ground.
Offloads from Moefana and Lucu sees Ollivon cut in from the wing and make more yards. They win a penalty and will go for the sticks.
PEN! France 19-23 SOUTH AFRICA (De Klerk, 55 mins)
The Boks are rolling now. De Klerk bangs the penalty through the sticks and lead by four.
France’s winning run is in severe danger and they need to respond.
France 19-20 South Africa, 54 mins
The tide has completely turned here! Dominant tackles by Kolisi and then Etzebeth enables Smith to get into the breakdown and win the turnover.
Then it’s surprisingly great hands by the bomb squad! Koch and Kitshoff with the delicate hands. Boks into the French half. And they win a penalty
France 19-20 South Africa, 53 mins
Maxime Lucu comes off the bench for France to ensure they have a scrum-half once more. How will they respond to going behind for the first time?
TRY! France 19-20 South Africa (Arendse, 50 mins)
And South Africa do score! They spread the ball wide to the right, a flat pass to Kurt-Lee Arendse who gets outside Anthony Jeloncha nd dives over for the try. Nice finish by the winger.
And De Klerk adds the tricky conversion. Straight through the middle and South Africa lead...
France 19-13 South Africa, 49 mins
South Africa win a couple of penalties and they’re in the France 22. Set up for the lineout.
The bomb squad of the replacement front row also on in the form of Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff and Vincent Koch. Not a bad group.
RED CARD! France 19-13 South Africa (Dupont, 47 mins)
WOW! It’s now 14 vs 14 as Antoine Dupont gets sent off.
South Africa put up a high ball that Kolbe leaps for, Dupont comes across, isn’t in a position to contest but takes Kolbe out in the air. Kolbe lands heavily on his head and after viewing replays, Dupont is shown a red card.
Huge moment as France lose their captain and it’s now 14 a side.
France 19-13 South Africa, 47 mins
An update on Danty. Apparently he suffered a fractured eye socket when Du Toit got sent off for going head to head on him. Ouch!
De Klerk takes a quick penalty and he bursts into the 22 as France are caught napping.
PEN! FRANCE 19-13 South Africa (Ramos, 46 mins)
40 metres, just in from the left touchline for Ramos but it’s no issue. He bangs it through and picks up the tee barely after it’s left his boot. Confidence and France are six points ahead again.
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