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 16:28 · Luke Baker]

Is England vs Japan on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup

England will look to build on their encouraging opening weekend win in the Rugby World Cup as they take on Japan.

Steve Borthwick’s side responded superbly after losing Tom Curry to an early red card as George Ford’s kicking masterclass saw them impressively eke out a 27-10 victory over Argentina in Marseille. Victory here against Japan would see England take a huge step towards securing a spot in the tournament’s knockout stages.

Japan, however, will provide a stern test having picked up a comprehensive 42-12 victory against Chile last weekend, with Jamie Joseph’s side looking to pull off an upset to put them in a fantastic position heading into the final few rounds of the group stages.

Here’s everything you need to know:

[17 September 2023 16:27 · Luke Baker]

England vs Japan

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of England vs Japan. Stick with us for all the action from a crunch match at the Rugby World Cup.