Replacementspublished at 70 mins
England 27-12 Japan
Ollie Lawrence and Marcus Smith come on, with Smith playing at full-back for the last 10 minutes or so. Interesting.
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
Replacementspublished at 70 mins
Postpublished at 69 mins
England 27-12 Japan
You can still be critical of England's kicking game in general while still praising that absolute dime from George Ford. Right? Superbly done by the England 10.
'Utter class'published at 21:41 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
England 27-12 Japan
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 LiveUtter class from George Ford. Japan were all over the show and offside by about 10 yards, but it didn't matter as George Ford nonchalantly pings it off the left foot.
Image source, PA Media
Converted try - England 27-12 Japanpublished at 66 mins
Freddie Steward (con George Ford)
That's the stuff! England move the ball swiftly, George Ford's kick this time is bang on the money, left-footed and spiralling into the far corner for the immense Freddie Steward to catch and touch down. Lovely stuff.
Ford then adds the conversion with a no-look kick from out wide too. Va va voom.
Image source, Getty ImagesPostpublished at 65 mins
England 20-12 Japan
England are growing into the game, belatedly. Japan look really tired. England have them pinned in their own 22.
'England are rising to the challenge'published at 21:37 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
England 20-12 Japan
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 LiveJapan had fallen for the dummy and I thought George Ford was going to give it to Joe Marchant, who would have strolled in.
There is a lot to be excited about from England's perspective. They are rising to the challenge and I want to see them do this all the time.
Postpublished at 63 mins
England 20-12 Japan
Great play from George Ford to miss out a man and drive for the line, England can sniff the try but Will Stuart spills the ball at the crucial moment. It was a good tackle on him to be fair.
Postpublished at 62 mins
England 20-12 Japan
England continue to kick at all costs, wasting a potential overload on the right wing. Bemused looks and nods all round.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:33 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
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Mark Mehta: Lots of kicking and now a headed assist, this is rugby football.
Truly dreadful stuff - England extremely lucky to be ahead after such a fortunate try -creativity absolutely zero.
Jake
'I would like to see Smith come on'published at 21:32 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
England 20-12 Japan
Chris Ashton
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 LiveI would like to see Marcus Smith brought on, it's opening up and is perfect for him.
Postpublished at 60 mins
England 20-12 Japan
Owen Farrell is available against Chile next weekend of course. Would you start him?
'Tremendous'published at 21:30 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
England 20-12 Japan
Matt Dawson
Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 LiveBoth sides need the water break after that. Tremendous attack from both sides. We have had 60 minutes of Japan really wanting to play and it is opening up. The brains are going to win this.
There are going to be opportunities and it needs now some clarity.
Image source, Getty ImagesReplacementspublished at 59 mins
England 20-12 Japan
England's most-capped man Ben Youngs is on at 9, perhaps he can get a tune out of England in the last 20 minutes. Joe Marler, after that headed assist, also goes off with Ellis Genge on.
get involved Get Involvedpublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
Let's not beat about the bush - this England performance is as bad as anything over the last 12 months.
JF London Colney
Andrew Savill: And they said England couldn't score tries
GreenIsle: England should use their heads more often!
Postpublished at 59 mins
England 20-12 Japan
Japan now pile on some pressure with a couple of superb line breaks but England just about survive. This game is alive at last!
Postpublished at 58 mins
England 20-12 Japan
A bizarre piece of play but England have a decent lead and finally have some impetus. They are starting to look much brighter now.
'Header it'published at 21:25 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
England 20-12 Japan
Chris Ashton
Former England winger on BBC Radio 5 LiveMaybe that is where England have been going wrong? Header it!
Converted try - England 20-12 Japanpublished at 21:24 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
Courtney Lawes (con George Ford)
A more bizarre try you will not see at this World Cup but England skipper Courtney Lawes won't care! The ball comes off the head of Joe Marler, bounces, Lawes collects and walks it in.
George Ford adds the conversion.
Image source, Getty ImagesMarler assistpublished at 21:24 British Summer Time 17 September 2023
The ball actually popped up off the head of Joe Marler.
Try reviewpublished at 56 mins
England 13-12 Japan
That's better! Two quick, lofted passes and England cut Japan open. Ben Earl is finally hauled down, the ball comes back out and Courtney Lawes goes under the posts.
Everyone has stopped, is that a knock-on?
Image source, PA Media