Summary

  • England end run of five defeats with dominant victory against Japan

  • Tommy Freeman's stunning one-handed off-load set up George Furbank in pick of England's nine tries

  • Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie also scored two tries each for hosts

  • Ex-England head coach Eddie Jones beaten on return to Twickenham

  • Japan's only tries come from Naoto Saito and Kazuki Himeno

  1. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 16:09 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcrugby, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    As ever we'd like to hear from you with your thoughts on today's action from TW2 - feel free to get in touch and if you're using SMS, don't forget to include your name.

  2. All setpublished at 16:08 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Here we go then, we're all set for the last hurrah of England's autumn campaign.

    Both sets of players have made their way to the field.

    But first, time for the anthems...

  3. 'The Japanese DNA'published at 16:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Speaking to TNT Sports, Japan assistant coach Neal Hatley said: "I think we have progressed with the way we are trying to play. We are trying to find a definitive style that suits Japanese players and suits their DNA. We are not the finished article but we have retained 19 or 20 players so we are building a lot of depth.

    "Eddie approaches every Test week pretty similarly. He spent seven years here with the best win percentage of any coach. England are a really good side and are well-coached but we have focussed on us this week and how we want to play.

    "If you don't get the first 40 or 50 minutes right, you end up chasing the game. England have picked three sevens and have a clear plan to slow us down so it's a great challenge for us."

  4. Warm reception for Jonespublished at 16:05 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    An interesting formation formed by Japan as they walk off the pitch. Plenty of shoulder touching for whatever reason. A sign of who their leader is?

    No boos for former England boss Eddie Jones as he walks off the pitch.

    Japan team
  5. 'Some players have not delivered consistently'published at 16:03 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Paul Grayson
    Former England fly-half on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

    My England rugby assessment baraometer has moved, my expectations are not as high as we often say they should be.

    That level of expectation around England means that you are constantly coming down on the negative side. The reality is there are so many good players who have not delivered consistently for those last two coaches.

  6. One to watch: Naoto Saitopublished at 16:02 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Japan will be led by captain Naoto Saito, who is the one to watch for the visitors.

    The scrum-half is the only player in Japan's starting XV to play club rugby outside of his native country, as backup to France captain Antoine Dupont at Toulouse.

    He likes to move the ball quickly and will look to expose any frailties around the ruck.

    Naoto SaitoImage source, Getty Images
  7. 'We want a complete performance'published at 16:00 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Speaking to TNT Sports, England head coach Steve Borthwick said: "Today we want to put in an 80-minute performance for our supporters. There have been big positives over the last few weeks and the identity is building but ultimately we haven't finished games off and today we want the complete performance.

    "You have to consider all the things you are doing well. The team are getting into good positions to win games but then it's about finishing them off. We are trying to play with ball speed but we want to couple that with a ruthless edge.

    "You see today we have another new cap into the fold [Asher Opoku-Fordjour], a couple of changes in the team and a backrow with speed and athleticism.

    "I'm sure Japan will be a really well-coached team. Each time we have played Japan in the last few years, we have seen a lot of kicking and attacking down our short side."

  8. History favours Englandpublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Japan have neve beaten England so history certainly favours the hosts.

    The Brave Blossoms are also the last side England beat, back in June. Could Eddie Jones' men end their losing run this afternoon?

    England v Japan history
  9. Spot Eddie...published at 15:51 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    Eddie Jones

    I have spotted Eddie Jones going for walk on his own.

    The Australian looks to be taking in his old stomping ground. A slow dander and a look up at the stands as it starts to fill up.

    No drama this week from Jones in his news conference after it was reported he was ill.

    Guess we will never know if he was actually ill or the Japan team wanted to keep him away from any possible drama.

    His comments in the summer were all positive about Steve Borthwick, saying he is "doing a great job".

    Both worked together at England and have a lot of respect for each other.

  10. Quiz: How well do you remember Jones' England reign?published at 15:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Eddie Jones split opinion unlike any of England's previous head coaches.

    The Australian, who now leads Japan, had seven years in charge of England and led them to a Six Nations Grand Slam and the 2019 World Cup final.

    England face Jones' Japan in their final Autumn Nations Series match, so how much do you remember of his tenure at Twickenham?

    Have a go at our quiz here.

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images
  11. 'He's a good bloke'published at 15:44 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Eddie Jones' return to Twickenham follows criticism of his leadership style by former England scrum-half Danny Care, who claimed players were belittled and berated in a "toxic environment".

    Speaking on Saturday, England prop Ellis Genge, who made his Test debut under Jones in 2016, says the Australian will relish the opportunity to beat his former side.

    "I like the bloke. He was always... not always actually, he wasn't always nice to me, but we've got a good relationship," said Genge.

    "He's a master of the psychological part of player development and man-management."

    "Sometimes he gets it wrong. There have been some nightmare stories of late about him. But he's a good bloke. He's a good guy."

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images
  12. 'I liked what Eddie did'published at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    Tom

    Despite England being on their joint-worst run since 2018 after five defeats in a row, Tom, 34, is not panicking.

    He is full of positivity and also added he will not be booing former coach Eddie Jones on his return to HQ.

    Jones guided England to a Grand Slam in 2016 and a World Cup final three years later, and was in charge during that miserable run in 2018.

    "I liked what Eddie did, he done a good job. It will be good to see him back," he said.

    "England have played really well. I was at the South Africa game last week, we've played well but just come out on the wrong side of the results.

    "Everything until the last 15-20 minutes we've had what was needed.

    "I like how we are playing. I think we will win and Jamie George will get man of the match."

  13. Colour changepublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Looks like it's a change of colour for England today.

    They've played in their traditional white strip during the autumn so far, with all three games ending in defeat.

    Dark red for victory, perhaps?

    England kitImage source, Getty Images
  14. The Jones effect?published at 15:33 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Twickenham knows Japan head coach Eddie Jones well.

    The 64-year-old, who led England for seven years, did not attend his pre-match news conference on Friday because of health reasons.

    Jones was well enough, however, to return to Twickenham on Saturday as he finalised his side's plans to inflict a damaging defeat on the hosts.

    How will the England fans react to him this afternoon?

    Eddie JonesImage source, BBC Sport
  15. Smith hat-trick incomingpublished at 15:29 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Alastair Telfer
    BBC Sport at Allianz Stadium

    Otis, 10, is excited for his first England men's game today.

    He has watched John Mitchell's Red Roses before, but this is his first time watching Steve Borthwick's side.

    Asked who was his favourite player, it was the classic response.

    "Marcus Smith, he will score three tries and England will win."

    Well, no pressure Marcus.

    We are certainly in the Marcus Smith era now.

    Otis
  16. England are in the housepublished at 15:26 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Jamie George has led his side past groups of adoring fans, deep into the bowels of the Allianz Stadium.

    The England captain looks focussed and intent on ending a five-game losing run...

    Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images
  17. Team newspublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    Here's a reminder of how the teams will line up...

    England: Furbank; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Sleightholme; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, Underhill, Earl.

    Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Baxter, Opoku-Fordjour, Isiekwe, Cunningham-South, Randall, F Smith, Roebuck.

    Japan: Matsunaga; Osada, Riley, Fifita, Naikabula; McCurran, Saito (capt); Okabe, Harada, Takeuchi, Waqa, Uluiviti, Shimokawa, Himeno, Makisi.

    Replacements: Lee, Morikawa, Tamefusa, Akiyama, Tatafu, Gunter, Fujiwara, Kajimura.

  18. Can England end 2024 on a high?published at 15:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    England v Japan (16:10 GMT)

    England's autumn campaign has certainly not gone to plan.

    Steve Borthwick's side have lost all three games against the southern hemisphere heavyweights...

    Jamie GeorgeImage source, Getty Images

    They meet former ally turned foe Eddie Jones and his Japan side in their final game of the year.

    The Brave Blossoms have never beaten England but Jones will be targeting a famous win over his old side...

    Eddie JonesImage source, Getty Images

    Kick off at Allianz Stadium is at 16:10 GMT...