- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
England
0
PREVIEW
Japan
0
Show Preview
Japan came close to besting the All Blacks, and now they face another world powerhouse in England in a litmus test of their improvement. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 2:15am (AEDT).
England coach Eddie Jones made five changes from the team beaten by Argentina last week.
Leicester’s Guy Porter, formerly of Sydney Uni, comes in at outside centre while lock David Ribbans will make his Test debut.
The partnership of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell at flyhalf and centre continues despite increasing criticism of their union from former players. Manu Tuilagi, Billy Vunipola and Joe Cokanasiga have moved to the bench.
England have lost five of their nine games this year and another against Japan – who, like Argentina, they face in the World Cup next year – would be unthinkable.
Though they would celebrate any sort of victory over the All Blacks the following week, supporters will expect more against Japan.
Twickenham was quiet against Argentina, particularly in a dull first half, and for that symbiotic fan-team relationship to spark, the players at least need to look like they are trying to come up with some attacking ideas.
Maro Itoje said on Monday that the players had taken too long to “flick the switch into ‘England mode’. It can take a week or two to get going but we need to get going from the off,” he said.
“No one’s going to be calling people out. It’s just being honest with each other about where we were good, where we were bad and where we need to improve.”
Prediction: England by 10.
Venue: Twickenham
Kick-off: 2:15am (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: England $1.07, Japan $9 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
England
Freddie Steward, Jack Nowell, Guy Porter, Owen Farrell (captain), Jonny May, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet, Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Kyle Sinckler, David Ribbans, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Tom Curry, Sam Simmonds.
Reserves:
Jamie George, Mako Vunipola, Joe Heyes, Alex Coles, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Henry Slade, Manu Tuilagi.
Japan
Ryohei Yamanaka, Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Gerhard van den Heever, Takuya Yamasawa,Yutaka Nagare, Tevita Tatafu, Kazuki Himeno, Michael Leitch, Jack Cornelsen, Warner Dearns, Jiwon Koo, Atsushi Sakate (captain), Keita Inagaki.
Reserves:
Kosuke Horikoshi, Craig Millar, Yusuke Kizu, Wimpie van der Walt, Pieter Labuschagne, Naoto Saito, Seungsin Lee, Siosaia Fifita.
Hide Preview
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.