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 14:45 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 68 minutes

Barring something unforeseen, they will win this game but it hasn’t quite clicked for Ireland today. Another forward pass ends the latest promising movement, this time up the right.

Meanwhile, in Florence, Australia have scored with the clock in the red. The conversion would break Italian hearts...

[12 November 2022 14:43 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 28-17 Fiji, 66 minutes

Fiji are back to 14 players, by the way, with Api Ratuniyarawa once more amongst things in the second row.

A vibrant Irish attack threatens to cut Fiji open but the last pass to Mack Hansen is forward and low.

[12 November 2022 14:39 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! Ireland 28-17 FIJI (Simione Kuruvoli try, 64 minutes)

That is sensational from Fiji!

There appears little on as Setareki Tuicuvu faces up to the Irish defensive line just inside his own half. The full back shimmies in search of a sliver of space, producing an audacious offload off the deck to Jiuta Wainiqolo.

Wainiqolo is irresistable in the open field, using fast feet and stiff fends to pinball up field. His offload is equally dextrous, granting Simione Kuruvoli a canter beneath the posts.

[12 November 2022 14:36 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! IRELAND 28-10 Fiji (Mack Hansen try, 61 minutes)

A fourth Ireland try at last!

Fiji’s scrum rather crumble against the full might of eight Irish forwards, the ball popping free as Setareki Tuicivu (employed as an emergency flanker) tries to keep control at the side of the set-piece.

The blindside is under-resourced, and Mack Hansen strolls in after Craig Casey’s pass. Jack Crowley converts impressively.

[12 November 2022 14:35 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 59 minutes

Towards the halfway point of this second half the clock ticks with the two tallies still unchanged after the interval. Can Ireland make something of their latest lineout in the Fijian 22?

Nope! Viliame Mata is the destroyer-in-chief of the maul, flopping merrily on the ball as Ireland bring it to ground.

[12 November 2022 14:33 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 59 minutes

More like it from Ireland, the crowd rising as their side begin to threaten with ball in hand. Robert Baloucoune weaves and wounds a couple of would-be tacklers with shimmying hips, and then Mack Hansen nearly finds Jimmy O’Brien with a crossfield kick.

Tadhg Beirne has been taken off the ball in an earlier phase; penalty to Ireland on halfway.

[12 November 2022 14:31 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 57 minutes

Fiji’s lineout throw is off-kilter - Ireland scrum.

Italy, by the way, lead by ten against Australia under the Tuscan sun after another Ange Capuozzo score with 15 minutes to go.

[12 November 2022 14:29 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 56 minutes

A scrum is far from ideal for Fiji, too, who have only six men with which to power their push. Their forwards do rather well, holding parity even without their flankers, and forcing a sliced kick from Ireland.

[12 November 2022 14:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 55 minutes

This time Cian Prendergast is rewarded! The great shock of hair on the Connacht forward’s head makes him easy to spot in the depths of the Fijian maul, the ball coming to floor with Prendergast’s long limbs wrapped securely around it. Turnover, Ireland ball.

[12 November 2022 14:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 21-10 Fiji, 53 minutes

A second penalty in two minutes against Ireland and suddenly it is Fiji inside the opposition 22. Cian Prendergast’s contest for the ball was legal; the tackler on the floor allowing him access was not.