Summary

  • England score four tries in Nice to secure second Pool D win

  • Lewis Ludlam scored England's first World Cup try in scrappy first half

  • Courtney Lawes scored England's second try after ball hit Joe Marler's head

  • Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant scored England's other tries

  • England's remaining Pool D fixtures against Chile and Samoa

Live Reporting

Tom Rostance

  1. England got better as the game wore on but they'll have to get so much better than that to reach the business end of the World Cup, you'd imagine.

    Up next is Chile next Saturday.

  2. 'A good way to finish'

    FT: England 34-12 Japan

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It is good to see us scoring tries and it's a good way to finish. It seemed the ploy was to wear Japan down with the kicking plan in the first half, however frustrating it may have been.

  3. FT: England 34-12 Japan

    George Ford is named player of the match again. Will he stay in the team though?

  4. 'Something we have been missing in attack'

    FT: England 34-12 Japan

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The final try came from great work from Marcus Smith out the back, finding an angle and using his space and speed on the ball.

    It's something we have been missing in attack.

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    Steve MCP Brogarth: Although riddled with errors and filled with a worrying lack of composure, the 2nd half was better from England. Lines were broken, lay offs attempted.

  6. Full-time

    FT: England 34-12 Japan

    Job done in the end. England make it two wins from two.

  7. try

    Try - England 34-12 Japan

    Joe Marchant (con George Ford)

    That's a nice way to bring an end to proceedings. Ben Youngs find the killer pass to release Joe Marchant and he piles over from close in.

    George Ford adds the kick.

    Marchant scoresPA Media

  8. England 27-12 Japan

    Marcus Smith to Jonny May, that's sharp and that's nice but Japan hold up the wing. England come back left... and score!

  9. England 27-12 Japan

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The game is won, and with four minutes to go, why wouldn't you want to score a try and take that it into next week.

    If you are in the back three, this is prime time to get tries and get the ball in your hands.

  10. England 27-12 Japan

    England win a penalty from a wonky Japanese scrum and George Ford kicks to the corner. One more push maybe.

  11. England 27-12 Japan

    Where does Owen Farrell fit in then? A question for another day. Next Saturday, in fact.

  12. 'Two ball carriers revolutionises the way England can play'

    England 27-12 Japan

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    It makes such a difference to have those two ball carriers, particularly with the vision of George Ford and Marcus Smith.

    if you are getting the commentary, left and right, on where to move the opposition, it completely revolutionises the way we can play.

  13. England 27-12 Japan

    England have a few minutes to look for a bonus point and a fourth try. That didn't look likely at half time.

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    Joe Gibney: Those (few) who said don't rule out England for a semi-final spot may be proved right. Draw seedings were done too early, meaning one half is loaded, whilst England have taken advantage of an awful Argentina & doing what's needed tonight. Quarter-final will be winnable

  15. England 27-12 Japan

    England really starting to play some rugby now, one-time passes out of contact, dummy runs, it's starting to flow. Better to finish on top than start well?

  16. England 27-12 Japan

    Ahhh, England have the ball on the Japanese line for three or four phases but they can't punch it over the line and eventually Japan get the penalty. A missed opportunity.

  17. England 27-12 Japan

    Marcus Smith lights up the play with some lovely footwork and zippy passing. They've got playmakers everywhere all of a sudden. Can England get another score?

  18. 'Ford has been fishing'

    England 27-12 Japan

    Chris Ashton
    Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 Live

    The kicking was relentless in the first half. It was a clear plan to get Japan knocked off their feet and then we open up.

    George Ford has been outstanding again to be fishing in that line and playing others in around him.

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    For me George Ford has always been the better option at 10 He is more clinical when things aren't going to plan

    Rafe

  20. England 27-12 Japan

    'Can I just say something please?'

    'No.'

    You've got to love the interactions between the players and the referee.