Japan vs England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Marcus Smith inspires big win in Tokyo
Japan 17-52 England: Marcus Smith and Henry Slade pulled the strings as the visitors ran in eight tries
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England kicked off their summer tour with an eight-try thrashing of Japan in Tokyo as they tuned up for two Tests against the All Blacks.
Steve Borthwick’s side head south for a two-Test tour of New Zealand at the start of July, and the England head coach will have been pleased with how his side accelerated away after a sticky start on a hot and humid afternoon. After holding firm defensively despite a fast Japanese start, Marcus Smith and Henry Slade pulled the strings nicely at the Japan National Stadium as England showed off their attacking array to take control of the contest.
Four first-half tries were followed by scores after interval from Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Harry Randall and Sam Underhill, though England’s win was somewhat marred by the sending off of Charlie Ewels late on. The lock was making his first international appearance since being red carded at Twickenham against Ireland during the 2022 Six Nations but flew in dangerously on Japan captain Michael Leitch at a ruck to potentially end his tour.
The Ewels incident came amid Japan’s brightest spell as lock Warner Dearns created two excellent tries, but it is England who emerged as sizeable winners to take confidence into their first clash with the All Blacks in a fortnight.
Re-live all of the action from the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo below:
Japan 3-26 England, 41 minutes
Worrying for Japan - England unlock their defence instantly after the restart, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso using his eel-like abilities to slip in and out of contact. An inside ball to Alex Mitchell would have been a try-scoring pass if not for a blocking Japanese hand, but back for a penalty England come.
Second half...
A few stern words from Eddie Jones in the Japan dressing room before he sent his side back out there. They will be disappointed to have not taken one of their early opportunities but for a side bedding in a number of new players, their attacking interplay has been really promising.
We’re ready to go again in Tokyo.
HT: Japan 3-26 England
It took time for England to warm to their work but they’ll be very pleased with how that second quarter panned out, showing off their attacking game and defensive ferocity to take control in Tokyo. Japan began brightly, playing with speed and intelligence as their visitors battled for discipline, but a couple of early missed chances allowed England in. Tries for Chandler Cunningham-South, Marcus Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade - and the prospect of more to come after the interval.
TRY! Japan 3-26 ENGLAND (Henry Slade try, 42 minutes)
And England go down the tunnel with a try!
Eddie Jones will be furious - a horrible way for Japan to finish the half. They twice infringe as England work the phases, affording conjuror Marcus Smith the chance to reach into his bag of tricks. The fly half switches direction and waves his wand of a right boot through the back of the ball, sending it drifting delightfully out towards Henry Slade. Tomoki Osada scrambles across but is unable to touch the leaping centre, and a safe landing and grounding extend England’s half-time advantage.
Japan 3-21 England, 41 minutes
The hooter sounds as Japan throw the lineout, but England are the ones who will get another chance. Their blitz defence works superbly as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso fires up into the passing lane to intercept.
Japan 3-21 England, 40 minutes
More good defensive work from Japan. Tomoki Osada soaks up Ollie Lawrrence’s size and allows Jone Naikabula to latch over the top, winning a jackal penalty.
Japan 3-21 England, 39 minutes
Chandler Cunningham-South’s legs are excavated at the lineout, allowing England the chance to poke again into the corner. But Japan re-steel themselves and time a counter shove brilliantly to win back possession on the floor after England had driven to within a metre or two.
Japan 3-21 England, 37 minutes
Tommy Freeman’s development over the last 12 months has been quite remarkable to watch. The Northampton wing was briefly in camp with England ahead of the World Cup but cut long before the tournament, yet now is just about the most complete back in the country. He produces another crunching hit on kick chase to earn a penalty - a reminder that he is England’s cover at outside centre today, and can also play full-back at a high level. That versatility is such a valuable commodity and Freeman has the full skillset to be an international star.
Japan 3-21 England, 35 minutes
Malfunction at the junction as Henry Slade whips a pass in the direction of Tommy Freeman on the extreme left but fails to account for the arrival of Ollie Lawrence into the space between them. Lawrence, to be fair to him, almost gathers it anyway, but the ball does eventually hit the floor. Raised hands of apology all around.
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