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 13:28 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! IRELAND 14-7 Fiji (Nick Timoney try, 21 minutes)

And there is a certain score!

The lineout is smooth, the maul set-up secure and the drive inexorably marches to the line. Nick Timoney gets up from the collapsed mass with the ball as Joey Carbery again adds the extras.

[12 November 2022 13:27 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

No try! Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 20 minutes

Yep, the ball has not brushed a blade of grass. Try chalked off.

But Fiji will lose a man. Manasa Saulo is sin binned for the latest of what are becoming rather too regular infringements.

[12 November 2022 13:24 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY? Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 20 minutes

Support act for the first, scorer of the second - Kieran Treadwell goes over!

Or does he? Fiji are furious and don’t think the lock has got it down. Upstairs for a look...

[12 November 2022 13:23 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 19 minutes

Mathieu Raynal’s arm is out - another penalty coming for Ireland if they fail to make the most of the advantage...

[12 November 2022 13:22 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 18 minutes

Fiji’s fringe defence is firm; their efforts to stall the maul rather less so. Another penalty to the hosts and into the corner Ireland go.

[12 November 2022 13:21 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 7-7 Fiji, 17 minutes

And that’s not an ideal way to respond from Fiji, granting Ireland more easy progress into their half with the concession of another penalty.

[12 November 2022 13:19 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

TRY! IRELAND 7-7 Fiji (Nick Timoney try, 15 minutes)

And over crashes Nick Timoney!

Fiji twice get over the ball and appeal for a holding on call, but Mathieu Raynal keeps his whistle in his pocket, and the visitors struggle to slow Irish ball thereafter. Timoney gets a handy helping shunt from Kieran Treadwell and burrows over underneath the posts.

Joey Carbery’s conversion levels things up.

[12 November 2022 13:18 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 14 minutes

Here come Ireland’s largest men, first Kieran Treadwell and then Tadhg Beirne making burly dents. Pressure building...

[12 November 2022 13:17 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 13 minutes

Ireland need a bit of stability; Fiji’s efforts to deny them it at the lineout is penalised. Into the 22 go the hosts.

[12 November 2022 13:16 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Ireland 0-7 Fiji, 12 minutes

Turnover for Fiji and off they go again! A remarkable offload from Setareki Tuicuvu puts Vinaya Habosi into more open acreage, with the Irish backfield doing well to bring the powerful wing down. Irish bodies get back in enough numbers to earn a holding on penalty, but they look vulnerable to the Fijian wide threat.