England vs Japan LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as much-improved England seal big win

England 52-13 Japan: Eddie Jones’s side were rampant in scoring seven tries

England were much improved against Japan at Twickenham (Getty Images)

England put last week’s ragged defeat by Argentina firmly behind them when they ran in six tries, plus a penalty try, and played some highly entertaining rugby along the way to overwhelm Japan 52-13 at Twickenham.

Full-back Freddie Steward was the star of the first half as he claimed the opening try and had a hand in scores for Guy Porter and Marcus Smith as England led 24-6 at the break and stretched that lead in the second half through Ellis Genge and Porter.

England lost their way for 20 minutes, allowing Naoto Saito to score Japan’s only try, before a penalty try and a second from Smith finished things off for the hosts. Owen Farrell landed all six conversion attempts as well as an early penalty.

England, who will play Japan again in the pool stage of the World Cup next September, face New Zealand next week, before finishing their autumn internationals against South Africa. Japan, who pushed France and New Zealand close in their previous two games, play France again next Sunday.

Relive all the action from Twickenham with our blog:

England vs Japan latest updates

• FOLLOW LIVE COVERAGE OF WALES VS ARGENTINA
• FULL-TIME! England 52-13 Japan
• 74’ - TRY! Smith collects Slade’s kick and touches down (ENG 52-13 JPN)
• 70’ - TRY! Penalty try for England after a side entry from Japan (ENG 45-13 JPN)
• 59’ - TRY! Saito dots down after good offload (ENG 38-13 JPN)
• 50’ - TRY! Porter wins a foot-race to Farrell’s kick for his second try (ENG 38-6 JPN)
• 48’ - TRY! Genge powers through defenders for the score (ENG 31-6 JPN)
• 40’ - TRY! Porter finishes off move in the corner (ENG 24-6 JPN)
• 24’ - TRY! Smith scores after a brilliant England counter (ENG 17-0 JPN)
• 12’ - TRY! Steward scythes over after a set-play from a lineout maul (ENG 10-0 JPN)

[12 November 2022 15:03 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Team News - England

A late change for the hosts, with Jack Nowell ruled out with an abdominal issue that hasn’t sufficiently healed. In comes Joe Cokanasiga, adding some power to an England side that has placed an emphasis on pace this week, partly due to the threat Japan pose and partly due to a slightly profligate performance against Argentina. To that end, Sam Simmonds takes the spot at number eight from Billy Vunipola, while Jack van Poortvliet will add a bit more zip from the start at scrum half.

Jonny May has endured a horrible year of injury and illness woe, but has looked sharp enough in training to come straight in from the start, but Manu Tuilagi’s minutes are being carefully managed, necessitating a first home appearance in an England shirt for Guy Porter. So, too, for Dave Ribbans, unused off the bench last week and thus making his debut in the engine room.

England XV: E Genge, L Cowan-Dickie, K Sinckler; D Ribbans, J Hill; M Itoje, T Curry, S Simmonds; J van Poorvliet, M Smith; J May, O Farrell (capt.), G Porter, J Cokanasiga; F Steward.

Replacements: J George, M Vunipola, J Heyes, A Coles, B Vunipola; B Youngs, H Slade, M Tuilagi

[12 November 2022 15:01 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

F/T: IRELAND 35-17 FIJI

Reasonably scratchy from Ireland, but another win for the top ranked side in the world. The wounded Wallabies are up next at the Aviva next weekend.

We’ll have plenty more reaction to Ireland’s win across the rest of the weekend, but kick off is very, very near at Twickenham, so let’s switch our focus to England vs Japan.

[12 November 2022 14:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

FULL TIME! IRELAND 35-17 FIJI!

(AFP via Getty Images)

[12 November 2022 14:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 80 minutes

Or not! Free kick at the scrum to Ireland and they may be content to take us to a close.

[12 November 2022 14:59 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 79 minutes

Fiji make their tackles and drive through a ruck, allowing them a chance to add another late score. Ireland’s counter-ruck is illegal; Simione Kuruvoli taps and goes.

Nearly away! Waisea Nayacalevu brushes off makeshift wing Jamison Gibson-Park but can’t quite find a supporting player with his inside pass. Irish hands knock the ball on - this will be the last chance for Fiji.

[12 November 2022 14:57 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 78 minutes

Yes, Gibson-Park is on to the left wing as the Irish forwards win a penalty, Tadhg Beirne’s jackal again proving profitable.

[12 November 2022 14:55 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 35-17 Fiji, 77 minutes

Mack Hansen sends a kick out on the full as two-try Nick Timoney is named Player of the Match - there haven’t been too many in Irish green to really give Andy Farrell a selection headache, but the flanker has been among the standouts.

Jimmy O’Brien departs for a head injury assessment. Jamison Gibson-Park returns, which will mean some major reshaping for Ireland. The starting scrum-half has gone on to the wing, I think.

[12 November 2022 14:51 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! IRELAND 35-17 Fiji (Cian Healy, 75 minutes)

Cap number 120 and international try number nine for Cian Healy!

The veteran prop provides the final punchy plough forward after a series of strong close-in carries from the Irish forwards.

Jack Crowley puts over the additional two points.

[12 November 2022 14:51 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 73 minutes

Dan Sheehan is on as Ireland launch another offensive deep in the Fijian half. The replacement hooker is dragged back to the five-metre line but the possession is quick for Ireland.

[12 November 2022 14:48 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 71 minutes

Ben Donaldson, on debut, to win it for Australia...it’s away to the right! ITALY BEAT AUSTRALIA! Good heavens - what a win and what a year for Kieran Crowley’s side, who really are a team of genuine promise.

Events in Dublin rather less dramatic, as evidenced by an idle crowd producing a Mexican wave as Fiji prepare to feed a scrum.