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

(Getty Images)

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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England vs Japan updates

• REPORT: Joe Marler uses his head to spare England’s blushes after error-strewn performance against Japan
• Use your head! England score comical try against Japan at Rugby World Cup
• FULL-TIME! England 34-12 Japan
• TRY! England 34-12 Japan, (Marchant secures bonus-point victory, 80 mins)
• TRY! England 27-12 Japan, (Pin-point Ford kick sets up Steward score, 66 mins)
• TRY! England 20-12 Japan, (Lawes scores comical try off Marler’s head, 56 mins)
• TRY! England 10-6 Japan, (Ludlam capitalises from lineout error, 25 mins)

[17 September 2023 20:53 · Ben Fleming]

HALF-TIME: England 13-9 Japan

With that penalty, the whistle goes for half-time. A scrappy, error-filled first 40 minutes from both sides but it’s England who have the slender lead thanks to Ludlam’s try and Ford’s two penalties.

Japan have been threatening but failed to capitalise on good positions on a couple of occasions in that first half.

This game is certainly still in the balance. Plenty to play for after the break...

[17 September 2023 20:51 · Ben Fleming]

PENALTY! England 13-9 Japan,(Ford, 40 mins)

A questionable decision from Japan who kick who kick the ball out and gift England back the ball with just 20 seconds left in the half.

From there, England retrieve the lineout and then win a penalty as Matsuda strays offside. A late chance for an extra three points...and this time Ford makes no mistake.

A gift of a three points for England.

[17 September 2023 20:48 · Ben Fleming]

England 10-9 Japan, 39 mins

More handling errors as England look to kick once again. They are brought back for an earlier penalty and go for the corner in the final moments.

But just like that, another dropped ball. Ludlam was charging around the back of the maul to receive the pass from Earl, but the Saracens flanker instead fires it at his club teammate George who can’t react in time and knocks the ball on.

A wasted opportunity for England on the stroke of half-time.

[17 September 2023 20:46 · Ben Fleming]

England 10-9 Japan

The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle reporting from the Stade de Nice as we approach half-time:

"A couple of injury worries for England, with Kyle Sinckler down receiving treatment and Freddie Steward having to take a painkiller while appearing to be battling a leg injury. Improbably, Steve Borthwick's side do lead this game but little has gone right so far."

[17 September 2023 20:44 · Ben Fleming]

England 10-9 Japan, 36 mins

The latest example of the humidity here in Nice as Steward is the latest to knock the ball on. Scrum to Japan after the second drinks break of the half.

[17 September 2023 20:40 · Ben Fleming]

PENALTY! England 10-9 Japan, (Matsuda, 32 mins)

A real error-strewn contest from both sides so far. England’s May is the latest to make a mistake, with his late tackle gifting Japan the chance to cut their deficit to one.

Matsuda steps up and does just that.

[17 September 2023 20:38 · Ben Fleming]

PENALTY MISSED! England 10-6 Japan, 30 mins

England have another chance to put daylight between themselves and the Brave Blossoms after an infrigement from Japan at the breakdown.

It’s a longer-range effort than his first and the fly-half pushes his effort wide of the right post.

[17 September 2023 20:34 · Ben Fleming]

TRY! England 10-6 Japan, (Ludlam, 25 mins)

Well after a sloppy passage of play, England benefit from a Japanese error from a lineout right after the restart and are gifted possession in the 22.

From there, they make no mistake and it’s Ludlam who powers over from close range to score England’s first try of the tournament and edge them back ahead!

Ford adds the extra points with the conversion.

[17 September 2023 20:32 · Ben Fleming]

England 3-6 Japan

The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle from the Stade de Nice:

"This has turned into the sloppiest of starts from England, so many basic errors in virtually every facet of their game. Another clean strike from Rikiya Matsuda and Japan are, deservedly, in front"

[17 September 2023 20:31 · Ben Fleming]

PENALTY England 3-6 Japan, (Matsuda, 23 mins)

Another close shave for England as a kick over the top is so nearly gathered cleanly by Matsushima.

The ball is just knocked on by the winger but Japan leave the England 22 with some reward as Matsuda knocks over his second penalty after Earl was offside at the breakdown.