5 talking points as England take on Eddie Jones’ Japan in Nations Championship

England welcome Eddie Jones’ Japan to Allianz Stadium on Saturday as the build-up to the Nations Championship finals weekend continues.

Here the Press Association looks at five talking points heading into the match.

Turning a corner
England delivered their standout performance of an otherwise poor 2026 by overrunning Australia 45-22 in the autumn opener. It was a win to dispel the uncertainty that had continued to swirl around head coach Steve Borthwick and sets up a strong finish to the year. Ranked 12th in the world and installed as 40-1 underdogs, Japan are not expected to cause England to stumble ahead of the main event of the Nations Championship pool fixtures against New Zealand.

Seize the day
It is a match of particular significance for Will Joseph, Max Ojomoh and Cadan Murley, who have been told the second of this month’s four Tests is a World Cup audition. Borthwick already knows the bulk of the squad he will pick for Australia 2027, leaving around five spots up for grabs. It is these fringe places that are the hardest to pick and with Japan offering a rare chance for Test rookies to catch Borthwick’s attention, a strong individual display could tip the scales in their favour.

Stage is set for Joseph
With explosive wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso missing the rest of the autumn because of an ankle injury sustained against the Wallabies, Joseph has the platform to translate his electric form for Gloucester this season on to the world stage. The 24-year-old was capped once before as a replacement on the 2022 summer tour to Australia but is now in a better place to show his ability to beat defenders through his power and acceleration. “He’s going to be some player” is the verdict from Sir Kevin Sinfield after watching Joseph run in a series of outrageous tries in training.

World Cup dry run
Borthwick has juggled multiple aims by making 10 changes for Japan that sees only three players retain their starting places against Australia. Apart from giving fringe contenders a chance to shine and resting influential personnel such as Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, it is a rehearsal for the six-day turnaround between the Tonga and Zimbabwe games at the World Cup when England will need to rotate to ensure their big guns are ready for the pivotal Pool F match against Wales.

Eddie plots Twickenham ambush
Japan have lost all six of their previous Tests against England but Jones has warned they are ready to upstage Borthwick’s men in the belief they will have one eye on the All Blacks. The former red rose boss has promised a few curve balls designed to cause chaos and he has already thrown one in selection by giving sevens specialist Riku Tokito his 15s debut on the left wing as a replacement for the injured Inoke Burua.