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:
France 16-13 South Africa, 45 mins
Good pressure from Woki means De Klerk rushes his box kick and it barely makes it out of the 22. Driving maul opportunity for France.
Woki claims it, the mail starts and Les Bleus win the penalty. They’ll go for the posts and try to get those three points backs. It’s quite wide on the left.
PEN! France 16-13 South Africa (Kolbe, 43 mins)
OOF! Kolbe runs straight through Jelonch. The winger has so much power in the way he runs. South Africa win a penalty, Faf points to the posts and Kolbe curls it between the sticks.
Great kicking from the Springbok flyer tonight and he brings his side within three points
KICK-OFF! France 16-10 South Africa, 41 mins
War wounds all over the place on the players. It’s been brutal so far. And the second half starts in a similar manner as Alldritt crashes into Ox Nche. Great tackles from the Springbok. Tone set!
WATCH: Kolisi sneaks over
South Africa hit back through skipper Siya Kolisi:
WATCH: Cyril Baille crashes over
Here was France’s first-half try, through Cyril Baille:
HALF-TIME! France 16-10 South Africa
A fascinating half. Pieter-Steph du Toit’s red card has put the Springboks behind the 8-ball and Cyril Baille went over for a try for France soon after.
Siya Kolisi hit back for the Boks but three Thomas Ramos penalties ensure Les Bleus lead.
PEN! France 16-10 South Africa (Ramos, 40 mins)
Fairly central, about five metres inside the South Africa half and Ramos lines it up. It’s on line and it has the distance as well. Les Bleus see their lead extended to six points.
France 13-10 South Africa, 39 mins
A great tackle by Arendse means Ramos loses ground but Mostert pinged for not rolling away and France will take a long-range shot at the posts as the last action of the half.
France 13-10 South Africa, 38 mins
De Allende trucks on for a few extra metres before South Africa put up another high ball. France staying strong underneath them so far.
BOSH! De Allende runs from deep and hits Fickou hard but the Frenchman helped by Macalou and they drag him into touch. Les Bleus secure the lineout and have a good platform in Boks territory.
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