Head-to-Head
England and Japan have faced each other a total of five times, with England holding a 100% win record against the Brave Blossoms.
Their most recent encounter came in the summer of this year, marking the first time England had faced Eddie Jones in a Test match since he left his role as head coach.
It was an emphatic win for Steve Borthwick’s men, who triumphed 52-17 in Tokyo. However, this was also the last time England secured a victory.
Form Guide
England will head into this game after a series of tough, narrow losses in the 2024 Autumn Nations Series, with the side struggling to close out games in the last 20 minutes, all their losses in their current streak have come by single-digit margins.
Borthwick’s England side have now lost their last five Test matches for the first time since 2018. Despite dominating possession for long spells, England have struggled to convert their opportunities into points. After the recent defeat to South Africa, Borthwick described the result as “terribly frustrating”.
Japan approach this Test on the back of a 36-20 win over Uruguay, although ill-discipline nearly cost Jones’s side.
However, they have won just one of their last four matches, with heavy defeats in the other three, as each opposing team scored more than 40 points against the Brave Blossoms.
A fortnight ago, France beat Japan 52-12, but Jones’s men will be determined to make a statement against England on his return to Twickenham.
Coaching Battle
As England host Japan at Allianz Stadium this week, the spotlight will be firmly on the coaches, Steve Borthwick and Eddie Jones. Both are extremely familiar with each other’s coaching styles, given their shared history during their time together with both Japan and England.
It could be said that Borthwick has spent much of the last couple of years doing his best to deconstruct Jones’ legacy in the England camp, both tactically and emotionally. Tales of a “toxic” atmosphere under Jones have spilt out like locker room laundry ahead of this weekend’s fixture, and Borthwick – now the man in charge – has been trying to wash it clean.
This match is as much a psychological battle as a tactical one. Jones will relish the chance to face his former assistant, while Borthwick will aim to prove that his systems can outwit even the craftiest of game plans.
Team News
Borthwick’s team will see the return of Tom Curry who has been called back into the England squad following his return to play protocols after suffering a nasty head injury against Australia.
England A’s Caden Murley has also been called into the squad to replace the injured Elliot Daly.
World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, has once again been omitted from the squad his head injury sustained against Australia.
