Marcus Smith got the contest underway on a rainy day at Twickenham.
England's Ben Earl was penalised at the breakdown for not rolling away, which allowed Brave Blossoms captain Naoto Saito - Antoine Dupont's scrum-half understudy at Toulouse - an opportunity to score the first three points of the match early on. However, the ball drifted slightly wide of the uprights, and the three points went amiss.
The first time England touched the ball in the Brave Blossoms' 22-metre, a cheeky no-look pass by Smith put Ollie Lawrence through the gap. A simple two-on-one saw Earl make a 15-metre dash to the try line, scoring England’s first try of the game. An easy conversion took the score to 7-0 after 10 minutes.
England were straight back on the attack, and after multiple offside infringements from Japan, Sam Underhill crashed over from short range to score England’s second in quick succession, averaging a point a minute, 14 minutes in (14-0). Smith added the extras to claim maximum points.
Try number three came in the 23rd minute, as captain Jamie George powered over from close range after impressive maul work by the England forwards. The conversion was once again successful from Smith, taking the score to 21-0.
England’s dominant first-half display continued, with George benefitting again after he rode another powerful English maul. Smith converted the try, keeping his record 100% off the boot so far.
However, Japan responded with a world-class score. Captain Saito picked up the ball on the inside following an impressive line break by centre Dylan Riley. Saito added the extras, taking his personal points tally to seven for the day.
England were straight back on the attack, and some good handling saw Ollie Sleightholme end up with the ball out wide. Seemingly out of options, Sleightholme dropped it onto his foot and slid over for England’s fifth of the day. Once again, Smith converted, taking the score to 35-7 with two minutes remaining in the first half.
Sleightholme’s try was the last action of the first half, marking a dominant first 40-minute display from Steve Borthwick’s men, who registered the highest first-half points tally of his England tenure.
The second half started much quieter than the high-scoring first, with the first points taking over 13 minutes to arrive. But when they did, they came in spectacular fashion.
A Japanese overthrow at the lineout gifted England possession, and a few passes saw Henry Slade with the ball. A cheeky chip kick allowed Tommy Freeman to collect it. Sensing he was under pressure, Freeman threw a deft out-the-back-door offload that landed in the hands of teammate George Furbank, who dotted the ball down for England's first points of the second half and their sixth of the day. Smith was unable to add the extras (40-7).
England were back on the scoresheet six minutes later, with substitute Luke Cowan-Dickie crossing the white line after a powerful carry from four metres out. Smith was once again unable to add the extras, taking the score to 45-7 with 20 minutes to play.
Japan replied with another fine finish after a wonderful break from Tomaki Osada. A few phases later, Kazuki Himeno scurried over from six metres out to claim the Brave Blossoms' second of the day. The extras were added by Takuro Matsunaga (45-14).
Tom Roebuck stormed into the line following an incredible pass from Fin Smith, but was cut down just two metres shy. Some short pick-and-goes from the forwards saw Cowan-Dickie claim his second of the day. His namesake Marcus nailed the conversion to take the score to 52-14, with 15 minutes to play.
England wanted one last try, and Roebuck took his chance after being denied a few minutes earlier. A great break and hand-off from the Sale Sharks player saw him run under the posts for his first international try. Marcus Smith once again added the extras (59-14).
As the clock approached the 80-minute mark, an England knock-on saw referee Craig Evans blow the final whistle, ending the game after an impressive and much-needed win for England over Eddie Jones' Brave Blossoms side.
