England v Japan LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction after ludicrous try off Joe Marler’s head
England 34-12 Japan: Joe Marler’s accidental headed assist for Courtney Lawes’ try was the highlight of an error-strewn performance by England
England toiled at times but profited from a bizarre second-half try to defeat Japan 34-12 at the Stade de Nice and earn a bonus point in an unimpressive display that nonetheless leaves them in control of their Rugby World Cup Pool D.
With the game poised at 13-12, England captain Courtney Lawes cantered in for a try as the Japanese players stopped and watched, expecting to hear the referee’s whistle for a knock-on when the ball in fact deflected off the head of prop Joe Marler.
That turned the tide of the contest as England ran in four tries in all, No 8 Lewis Ludlam barging over in the first half before full back Freddie Steward crossed in the corner and centre Joe Marchant grabbed the bonus point with the final play of the game.
Before that England’s attack looked blunt as they battled to hold onto the ball and kicked away possession from promising attacking areas, but were let off the hook by a Japan side that did not have the quality to punish them.
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TRY! England 20-12 Japan, (Lawes, 56 mins)
What a slice of fortune for England! Earl makes the big burst up the pitch on the right side and, from there, England come infield. Then, Stuart’s pass - looking for Marler - bounces off the prop’s head and over the Japan defence.
The Brave Blossoms stall assuming the ball was knocked on but Lawes plays on and taps down the try. Replays confirm it did cannon off Marler’s head and England have a vital - if not extremely fortunate - seven points to put some daylight between themselves and Japan.
PENALTY! England 13-12 Japan, (Matsuda, 54 mins)
After a solid start to the half, a sloppy error again opens the door for Japan. Chessum doesn’t roll away quickly enough having made the tackle and Matsuda makes no mistake with the penalty.
The first points of the second half and England’s lead is now just one.
England 13-9 Japan, 52 mins
Another knock on from England gifts Japan a penalty in a good position inside England’s half. Before that happens there’s a double change for England.
Stuart comes on for Sinckler in the front row and there’s a first appearance in this year’s World Cup for Billy Vunipola as he replaces try scorer Ludlam.
England 13-9 Japan, 50 mins
England, slowly but surely, look to be exerting more control over the game. But, they turn to the kick yet again and give away possession. Some boos ring around from the crowd - they certainly didn’t approve of that decision.
A change in the front row for Japan as Millar comes on for Inagaki. Riley also comes on for Naikabula on the wing.
England 13-9 Japan, 45 mins
It’s an audacious backwards kick over his head from Nagare but they can’t gather the ball cleanly. England again do well to make territory up the pitch with some clever kicking off their own but again the play breaks down after some poor handling a few phases into the attack.
I’m sounding like a broken record at this point.
England 13-9 Japan, 42 mins
A bright start from England as they move forward into the Japan 22 after a great low kick from Ford. From there, however, it’s a series of poor decisions which ultimately culminate in a Japan penalty and a chance for the Brave Blossoms to clear their lines.
KICK-OFF! England 13-9 Japan, 41 mins
Japan kick off and we are back underway in this crucial second half. England lead, but only just...
Daly makes a promising early burst down the left but he’s bundled into touch by Fakatava.
HALF-TIME: England 13-9 Japan
Just the one try - England’s first of the tournament - in that half as Ludlam powered over after a terrible mistake from a Japanese set piece:
HALF-TIME: England 13-9 Japan
The half-time verdict from The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de Nice:
“Yikes. It's been a sloppy Sunday night so far in Nice, with England all over the place and Japan, after a bright first half hour, making their fair share of errors, too, to give Steve Borthwick's side the lead.
“A few uncomfortable looks at one another as the England players made their way off - after what felt like a turning point performance last week, this has been a huge drop down in quality and cohesion. Joe Marler was having an animated discussion with referee Nika Amashukeli as he exited.
“With the rest of their game not working, you do wonder if England will try to go to their scrum and lineout to win territory - but the errors on set-up have prevented them doing even that so far."
HALF-TIME: England 13-9 Japan
Some pictures from a frenetic first half:
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