Summary

  • Result: Japan 17-52 England

  • Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Harry Randall and Sam Underhill score tries in second half

  • Replacement lock Charlie Ewels sent off for dangerous tackle

  • Chandler Cunningham-South's first England try gave visitors lead in first half

  • Marcus Smith burst through to score second try and set up scores for Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade

  • Eddie Jones' Japan score two late tries

  1. Thanks all!published at 09:28 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images

    A massive thanks to those of you who joined us early this morning.

    Marcus Smith scored 13 points, including a slick try from a well-executed set-play move, as England began their summer tour by overcoming Eddie Jones' Japan in Tokyo.

    Chandler Cunningham-Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Harry Randall and Sam Underhill also scored tries in what was a comfortable win.

    A negative however will be Charlie Ewels' red card late in the second half for a dangerous clearout on Michael Leitch, meaning he will now face a possible suspension.

    Read the match report here.

    Make sure and stay across the Rugby Union Weekly podcast for more reaction later.

    Next up is two Test matches against New Zealand in July.

    See you then!

  2. Old friends catching uppublished at 09:23 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Marler and JonesImage source, Getty Images
  3. 'England are a strong and powerful team'published at 09:20 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Japan head coach Eddie Jones, speaking to RugbyPass TV: "It was a really tough game. England are a strong and powerful team, but I was really pleased with our set-piece which kept us in the game for a long period of time.

    "We have been working on things in attack, which created opportunities, but we weren't able to finish them.

    "Our movement around the ball is still not sharp enough."

  4. Trophy timepublished at 09:16 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images
  5. Did Smith do enough?published at 09:13 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Did Marcus Smith do enough to keep the number 10 shirt for the games against New Zealand?

    Hit the thumbs!

    Marcus SmithImage source, Getty Images
  6. 'I am really pleased'published at 09:10 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    England Rugby

    England head coach Steve Borthwick, speaking to RugbyPass TV: "I am really pleased with the result, I thought the application of the players was excellent.

    "Late in the game our cohesion broke up a little against a very fast and skilful Japanese team, who took their chances at the end of the game really well.

    "You can tell Japan are going to grow playing a certain way. They are really, really dangerous.

    "Especially that early 20-30 minutes we had to defend really well to keep them out."

  7. 'Japan are going to be very successful'published at 09:06 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    England Rugby

    England captain Jamie George, speaking to RugbyPass TV: "It was a really tough game and the conditions were very difficult. I am very proud of the way we went about our business today.

    "It was always going to be difficult to come over here and get a result.

    "We have got some really talented backs with a lot of speed and we were able to show that today."

    On Eddie Jones: "We couldn't have more respect for Eddie as a person and as a coach.

    "Japan came out here and played with a very high tempo. I think they are going to be very successful over the next few years."

  8. Next up the All Blackspublished at 09:02 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    England will now travel to New Zealand for a mega two-Test series.

    The first game is on 6 July with the second on the 13 July.

  9. Postpublished at 08:58 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Charlie Ewels becomes the first player to be sent off twice for England. He was also sent off against Ireland during the 2022 Six Nations.

  10. 'The focus will be starting the game better 'published at 08:55 British Summer Time 22 June

    FT: Japan 17-52 England

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Japan put England under pressure early on but England kept them out and scored every time they went into the 22. That's a real positive.

    They didn't get through many phases but an inexperienced England team did a great job.

    It was a hard, fast game - that will do England a favour in terms of fitness. The focus will be starting the game better in New Zealand. Japan controlled the start but didn't take their chances. That won't happen against the All Blacks.

  11. Full-time - Japan 17-52 Englandpublished at 08:50 British Summer Time 22 June

    A first win for England on their summer tour and plenty to take into their next two games against New Zealand.

    Harder tests ahead however.

  12. Postpublished at 08:48 British Summer Time 22 June

    Japan 17-52 England

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Far from ideal for Charlie Ewels. He's looking at going home after only playing 15 minutes off the bench.

  13. Red card - England (Ewels)published at 79 mins

    Japan 17-52 England

    Charlie Ewels has his yellow card upgraded to a red by the TMO 'bunker'.

    World Rugby are trying to stamp out low clearouts to the knees of players to avoid nasty injuries.

    That could well be his tour over.

  14. 'Outstanding Underhill'published at 08:47 British Summer Time 22 June

    Japan 17-52 England

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    Top work from the forwards. That'll be great taking that into the next few weeks. Sam Underhill has been outstanding again today - he was the best player on the pitch in the Premiership final and he's been just as good today.

  15. try

    Converted try - Japan 17-52 Englandpublished at 77 mins

    Sam Underhill (con Henry Slade)

    No one deserved it more!

    From the maul Sam Underhill dots down.

  16. Postpublished at 08:44 British Summer Time 22 June

    Japan 17-45 England

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    The conditions are so hard, and the pace of the game and the amount of tries scored - they all take it out of your legs.

    England need to finish well to take as much positivity as they can into the New Zealand Tests.

  17. Sin-bin - England (Ewels)published at 74 mins

    Japan 17-45 England

    Replacement lock Charlie Ewels is the next player to spend 10 minutes in the sin-bin for a dangerous low clearout on Japan captain Michael Leitch.

  18. England feeling fatigued?published at 08:41 British Summer Time 22 June

    Japan 17-45 England

    Chris Ashton
    Former England wing on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    England didn't want to make substitutions and see their levels drop.

    Maybe there's a bit of fatigue and Marcus Smith being sin-binned didn't help.

  19. Postpublished at 73 mins

    Japan 17-45 England

    Debutant Tom Roebuck shows some sharp footwork to break clear before he pops the ball off the deck.

    That is why he was picked. So skilful!

  20. try

    Converted try - Japan 17-45 Englandpublished at 67 mins

    Takuya Yamasawa (con Rikiya Matsuda)

    Try of the game!

    Lock Warner Dearns gaps a loose pass with one hand before striding clear.

    He pops it to TakuyaYamasawa and the home crowd go mad.