England vs Japan LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 result, match ...
Pool D continued at the Rugby World Cup tonight as England contested their second fixture at the Stade de Nice. After a rousing, George Ford-inspired 27-10 defeat of Argentina that came despite Tom Curry’s early red card in Marseille, Steve Borthwick’s side have received a much-needed confidence boost after a horror build-up to the tournament. Another win this evening now has them firmly on course to go through to the quarter-finals as group winners.
Japan are always viewed by the heavyweights as a potential World Cup danger after huge wins over the likes of Ireland, Scotland and South Africa in recent years, though this current crop is not quite of the same quality and they notably tired late on here. The Brave Blossoms - who had major scrum issues as they were blown away at Twickenham last autumn - were very competitive but tries from Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant broke their resolve.
Ludlam’s first-half score was a gift from a disrupted lineout, while Lawes had the presence of mind to play to the whistle after an inadvertent headed assist from Joe Marler that most assumed was a knock-on. England showed flashes of excitement when George Ford’s perfect cross-field kick was finished brilliantly by Steward, with Marchant crashing over for the bonus point with the clock in the red. Follow England vs Japan reaction at the Rugby World Cup live below, with expert analysis from Nick Purewal in Nice.
Here’s the England head coach speaking to ITV...
"It was a good game against a really good Japan team. We knew we would get the rewards if we kept doing the right things. I'm delighted for the players and the supporters out there. We want to make sure they enjoy it and have some good nights.
"The players have got to find a way to get the result. You saw a Japan team who kicked the ball 37 times, which tells you a lot about the conditions tonight. Whatever the plan was from the start, the players need to adapt and get the result.
"We will have a good debrief of this game. The first thing is for the players to enjoy this win. and then we have six days until we play Chile."
Here was the bonus-point clincher from Marchant at the death...
Full-time
It was far from pretty for the most part, but England are two wins from two to top Pool D, bonus point in the bag.
A lotto work on, that’s for sure, but they are nevertheless firmly on course to reach the quarter-finals as group winners.
It’s minnows and debutants Chile up next in Lille next Saturday, when captain Owen Farrell will be eligible to return after suspension.
Expect Borthwick to ring the changes in that one.
Up next for Japan is a bit of a long break followed by the challenge of Samoa in Toulouse on September 28.
81 mins: The bonus point comes with the clock in the red!
Japan have been absolutely out on their feet for some time now and England’s superior fitness and bench options have certainly shown up here late on.
The pressure is relentless near the line and England finally get their last reward, Marchant going over after good work from the likes of Smith and May off the right.
Ford converts with the final action of the game. That’ll do!
Getty Images76 mins: Young Saracen Theo Dan is on at hooker for the final few minutes for England.
Japan, meanwhile, have sent Kanji Shimokawa into the back row in place of Labuschagne.
England are still huffing and puffing in pursuit of that late bonus-point try, but it’s just not happening at the moment.
Here’s England’s third try, a lovely finish from Steward after the perfect Ford cross-field kick...
74 mins: That should have been the bonus point wrapped up for England!
Daly, Lawrence and Smith all combine beautifully as they charge forward with pace and menace down the left flank.
The lively Smith sits down scrum-half Saito with a bump and drifts inside, with England switching the promising attack right.
It’s another strong carry from the brilliant Earl, who then pops off to the supporting May.
Tired Japan’s defence look ragged, but, to their immense credit, they hold on and eventually get a pressure-relieving penalty.
A massive opportunity lost for England.
70 mins: Marcus Smith and Ollie Lawrence are on for England, by the way.
Off go Steward and Tuilagi, the latter of whom ITV point out had just three carries tonight.
That has to change moving forward if England are to have any chance at this tournament.
Standard Sport’s Nick Purewal at the Stade de Nice
Ford’s pinpoint cross-field kick and Steward’s smart finish have wrapped this game up for England.
Ford’s fine conversion stretches England’s lead to 27-12. Japan are out on their feet and England now need that important bonus-point try.
67 mins: That’s exactly what we want to see from England!
Steward touches down brilliantly in the left corner after the accurate cross-field kick with an advantage from Ford, who then makes a tricky conversion.
So much more intensity and ferocity now from Borthwick’s men, who had driven Japan back over their own try line following the scrum to set up that chance - led by the determined Tuilagi.
Borthwick will be very content with that. Can they now go on and get the bonus point?
