England vs Japan LIVE - Latest score and updates as hosts struggle against Brave Blossoms
Follow the latest from the autumn international clash at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.A heavily changed England side takes on Japan on Saturday afternoon in the third of their autumn internationals, with Eddie Jones looking to get his side back to winning ways after last weekend’s defeat by the All Blacks.
Jones hands Bath wing Joe Cokanasiga his England debut while Zach Mercer makes his first start at No 8, with only four players being retained and just two of those in the same position in the form of full-back Elliot Daly and lock Maro Itoje.
George Ford comes in at fly-half to replace Owen Farrell and captain the side on what will be his 50th cap, but he will want to ensure that England do not suffer a similar fate to the Springboks in 2015 after witnessing Japan pull off one of the great shocks of rugby union. Follow the live action below.
What time does it start?
England vs Japan kicks off at 3:00pm on Saturday 17 November.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Main event from 2:30pm.
Teams
England: Elliot Daly; Joe Cokanasiga, Jack Nowell, Alex Lozowski, Chris Ashton; George Ford, Danny Care; Alec Hepburn, Jamie George, Harry Williams; Charlie Ewels, Maro Itoje; Courtney Lawes, Mark Wilson, Zach Mercer.
Replacements: Dylan Hartley, Ben Moon, Kyle Sinckler, Ted Hill, Sam Underhill, Richard Wigglesworth, Owen Farrell, Henry Slade.
Japan: Will Tupou; Akihito Yamada, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Kenki Fukuoka; Yu Tamura, Fumiaki Tanaka; Keita Inagaki, Atsushi Sakate, Koo Ji-won, Wimpie van der Walt; Uwe Helu, Michael Leitch, Masakatsu Nishikawa, Kazuki Himeno.
Replacements: Yusuke Niwai, Koki Yamamoto, Aasaeli Ai Valu, Samuela Anise, Hendrik Tui, Shunsuke Nunomaki, Yutaka Nagare, Rikiya Matsuda.
11 min: Once again Japan go for the line-out down in the left-hand corner. The throw is successful and the Brave Blossoms send it out wide via the backs. Another penalty follows before the visitors try their luck in reversing play towards the left. Nothing comes of it and the referee brings it back for the penalty. Japan put-in at the scrum.
14 min: The ball pops out at the back of the Japan scrum and Tanaka is quickly smothered by Itoje. He makes the tackle and successfully steals the ball. What fantastic play from the flanker. Ref gives it the green light and England are back in possession. Some great defending from the home side.
16 min: Another penalty to Japan after Nowell was caught not releasing on the deck. The Brave Blossoms wisely opt to kick for the posts this time and it's Yu Tamura who makes the conversion.
18 mins: Japan work the ball to the right flank before Yamada opts to kick. It's easily dealt with and Ford is there to claim the loose ball. He sprays it inwards to Daly, who ventures forward, springing from left to right, but eventually met by a wall of red and white shirts. He's going nowhere. It's moved back out to the left and Cokanasiga is on hand to make his presence felt. A huge hit from the wing but nothing comes of it.
20 min: England struggling for consistency and discipline here. From just inside their own half, Care sprays a wild ball out to the left from a ruck but it's intercepted by Yamada. The wing bursts forward and sets his side up in the bottom right-hand corner before the penalty is eventually drawn after George was caught diving off his feet. He's subsequently sent to the bin. England down to 14 men. Japan kick for the line-out...
21 min: It's fumbled by Japan and bounces back towards Care. But he's not in complete control and ends up taking the ball over his own try line.
Try! England 7-10 Japan (Nakamura, 23 min)
A well-deserved try for the visitors who have been forcing England under some considerable pressure. At the scrum, the ball was popped up out to the left and it was Ryoto Nakamura who came crashing in from deep. Alex Lozowski missed the tackle, allowing the Japan 12 to snake his way forward before diving under the posts. Tamura converts to give the Brave Blossoms the lead.
26 min: Four minutes left until Jamie George returns. Dylan Hartley has come on for Zach Mercer.
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