England ended their five-match losing streak with a comprehensive 59-14 rout of Japan at Allianz Stadium.
Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie both scored two tries, while Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Tom Roebuck also crossed as Steve Borthwick’s side concluded their Autumn Nations series in style.
The hosts’ strength at the lineout culminated in three tries in the opening 25 minutes, with Earl, Underhill and George all going over.
Tommy Freeman was denied following a TMO review, but George grabbed his second just after the half-hour mark to stretch the lead to 28-0.
Japan stopped the rot and got on the scoreboard following a swift counter, with Naoto Saito darting for the line, but Sleightholme responded quickly – chasing his own punt to make it 35-7 at the break.
England picked up from where they left off in the second half, with Freeman’s superb pass behind his back allowing Furbank to touch down.
Cowan-Dickie’s pair of tries sandwiched a consolation effort from Kazuki Himeno, but the hosts had the final word as Roebuck – denied on the line moments earlier – completed the rout with his first international try.
Talking Point – A positive end to a tricky spell for England
Borthwick was desperately seeking a response from his players, and hoping they could end their series on a high after three November defeats.
There was also the side note of Eddie Jones’ return to Allianz Stadium for the first time since his dismissal as England head coach in 2022.
The hosts grasped the opportunity to express themselves, crossing the try-line on nine occasions.
It was fitting for George to have a say on the day he became his country’s joint most-capped hooker with Dylan Hartley.
Marcus Smith also chipped in with 14 points from the tee, moving him past Charlie Hodgson to eighth place on England’s all-time list.
A much-needed victory gives the 2003 world champions something to build on, as their attention turns to the Six Nations campaign at the start of February.
Player of the Match – Ollie Sleightholme (England)
The Northampton Saints winger continued his fine start to international rugby with a fourth try in just five Tests.
He took it superbly, too, staying calm under pressure to punt in behind the covering defender, allowing him to evade the challenge and touch down.
As a side note, Sleightholme has already equalled the England try tally his father Jon amassed, and will almost certainly surpass that.
Player Ratings
England: Furbank 7, Freeman 7, Lawrence 7, Slade 7, Sleightholme 8*, M. Smith 8, Van Poortvliet 7; Genge 7, George 8, Stuart 8, Itoje 8, Martin 7, Curry 7, Underhill 7, Earl 8. Replacements: Cowan-Dickie 8, Baxter 6, Opoku-Fordjour 6, Isiekwe 6, Cunningham-South 7, Randall 6, F. Smith 7, Roebuck 7.
Japan: Matsunaga 7, Osada 6, Riley 6, Fifita 6, Naikabula 6, McCurran 6, Saito 7; Okabe 6, Harada 6, Takeuchi 6, Waqa 6, Uluiviti 6, Shimokawa 6, Himeno 7, Makisi 6. Replacements: Matsuoka 6, Morikawa 6, Tamefusa 6, Akiyama 6, Tatafu 6, Gunter 6, Fujiwara 6, Kajimura 6.
Match Highlights
10′ TRY! ENGLAND 7-0 JAPAN (EARL): The hosts break through as they burst into life from the ruck. Marcus Smith slightly delays his pass to Lawrence, who subsequently advances before offloading to Earl, and the number eight darts under the posts. Five points become seven with Marcus Smith making no mistake.
15′ TRY! ENGLAND 14-0 JAPAN (UNDERHILL): The Blossoms are penalised for offside and, after Marcus Smith finds touch, the hosts drive from the lineout. Itoje goes close before Underhill eventually crosses, though replays suggest the openside flanker did not quite ground the ball correctly. Nevertheless, the try is not reviewed and Marcus Smith converts.
24′ TRY! ENGLAND 21-0 JAPAN (GEORGE): The hosts surge from the lineout and are far too strong for their opponents, with George eventually getting the ball down. Marcus Smith makes it three from three from the tee.
32′ TRY! ENGLAND 28-0 JAPAN (GEORGE): The hosts do get that fourth try, with the skipper grabbing his second of the game. Once again, it comes from a lineout surge with George stretching over. Marcus Smith converts to stay perfect from the tee.
35′ TRY! ENGLAND 28-7 JAPAN (SAITO): A super try from the visitors! The Blossoms embark on a rare attack as they counter and capitalise on sloppy England defending. The ball is offloaded to Saito, who surges over and under the posts, before converting himself.
38′ TRY! ENGLAND 35-7 JAPAN (SLEIGHTHOLME): Borthwick’s side swiftly respond, working the ball quickly from right to left. Lawrence does well to evade a couple of challenges before offloading to Stuart, whose superb pass to Cunningham-South gives the latter plenty of time to find the man over in Sleightholme. The winger is closed down, but cleverly punts towards the line, before retrieving the ball and touching down. Marcus Smith brilliantly converts from a tight angle.
55′ TRY! ENGLAND 40-7 JAPAN (FURBANK): Furbank scores, but he is indebted to Northampton Saints team-mate Freeman. The latter chases Slade’s punt towards the corner, before producing a magnificent pass behind his back for Furbank to cross. Not aided by the strong wind, Marcus Smith pulls his conversion attempt just wide of the posts.
61’ TRY! ENGLAND 45-7 JAPAN (COWAN-DICKIE): Anything George can do, his fellow hooker will match. England surge for the line with Cowan-Dickie swivelling to get himself over. However, the post denies Marcus Smith’s conversion attempt.
63′ TRY! ENGLAND 45-14 JAPAN (HIMENO): The visitors get another try on the board, albeit after England switch off defensively. Japan take full advantage as they burst through the line, before Himeno can cross unchallenged. Saito converts.
66′ TRY! ENGLAND 52-14 JAPAN (COWAN-DICKIE): The hosts hit back immediately once more. Roebuck is found by Fin Smith’s brilliant offload and accelerates towards the line. Japan do well to hold him up, but Cowan-Dickie eventually crosses for his second try. Marcus Smith makes no mistake with the conversion.
70′ TRY! ENGLAND 59-14 JAPAN (ROEBUCK): Roebuck does get his first international try this time! Receiving Fin Smith’s precise cross-kick, the replacement evades a couple of challenges and touches down under the posts. Marcus Smith converts once more.
Key Stats
Jamie George became England’s joint most-capped hooker, matching Dylan Hartley on 97 caps.
England have now won all 11 of their meetings with Japan.
Japan have conceded over 20 points in each of their last 14 Tests.
The Blossoms have now lost their last 12 matches against European nations.
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