England Player Ratings vs Japan
England survived a major scare early against Japan to record a 35-15 victory over the Cherry Blossoms at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones’ former side gave his current one all they could handle in the first half, but as England grew into the contest and sent for some reinforcements from the bench, they moved through the gears and took the game beyond the visitors.
We’ve rated all 23 of England’s performers from Saturday afternoon’s encounter.
- Elliot Daly – 7
The rust of not playing 15 week in, week out for his club was further knocked off, as Daly looked more of a threat on the counter-attack, as well as covering across the back field well. He was adept at identifying space, whether he was running into it or kicking into it, whilst England also made good use of his titanic boot, with the full-back knocking over a penalty from over 50m in the first half. Didn’t consistently dominate the space under the contested high balls, though.
- Chris Ashton – 6
Ashton was unfortunately subbed off just after the 30-minute mark with an apparent leg injury and didn’t have too much opportunity to influence the game. He did, however, showcase his impressive work rate on Danny Care’s early try, tracking the play from the other side of the pitch and being an option for the scrum-half, had he needed it.
- Jack Nowell – 6
He was caught narrow once early, but ultimately defended well in the challenging 13 channel, including making some important one-on-one tackles. He had a bit more influence on the attacking game once he was moved out to the wing but will be kicking himself for knocking on early in the second half when Owen Farrell had unleashed him on the outside.
- Alex Lozowski – 5
Got the shepherd’s crook at half time after struggling to influence the game positively. The centre missed a couple of crucial tackles, including the one on Ryoto Nakamura, who went over for Japan’s first try, and didn’t provide the control or incision in the role that Owen Farrell has previously provided.
- Joe Cokanasiga – 9
A strong debut for the Bath man, who did not freeze in the spotlight. His speed and ability to chase kicks and compete in the air was noteworthy, whilst his impressive carrying threat was also on display. He looked comfortable defensively, too, rotating back into the middle when Daly was pulled out of position by Japan, as well as making good defensive reads and executing the one-on-one tackles. His first try for England was created by his own work rate on the chase and skill in the air, winning the ball back for his team.
- George Ford – 6
Far from the masterful display that Ford would have wanted to stake a claim for resuming his role as England’s starting fly-half. The positives included missing just one kick at goal and a nice inside ball for Mark Wilson’s try, but his control on the game was lacking in the first half. He couldn’t quite pull the strings and get England moving offensively until Japan tired and fell out of contention.
- Danny Care – 5
After a bright start, where Care brought tempo and excellent support-running for the first try of the game, the scrum-half fell out of his groove somewhat. His miss-pass from the base of the ruck was read and intercepted by Japan, he mishandled a lineout steal from Charlie Ewels and a missed tackle on Michael Leitch led directly to a Japan try.
- Alec Hepburn – 4
Another quiet performance from Hepburn, who hasn’t been able to translate club form onto the international stage over the last few weeks. England had no set-piece advantage and his characteristic domineering runs for Exeter were not on display at Twickenham.
- Jamie George – 8
George swallowed a yellow card for going off his feet in the ruck, but it was a penalty conceded that arguably saved England from a try. Otherwise, it was a solid showing from the hooker, who linked up well in the loose, including helping to create tries for Care and Cokanasiga, whilst he also made a try-saving tackle on Yu Tamura in the first half.
- Harry Williams – 5
The tighthead looked uncomfortable against Keita Inagaki early on but did manage to fire back later in the first half, forcing a penalty out of the Japanese loosehead. Like Care, he also missed a tackle on Leitch, which saw the back row canter over the try line.
- Charlie Ewels – 7
On a day of England doing the basics on defence badly, Ewels stood out with the understated efficiency of his performance. He tackled strongly and cleanly and provided England with a good second option at the lineout when not calling to Maro Itoje. Popped up with a steal on Japan’s throw, too.
- Maro Itoje – 7
A strong early showing from the lock, who was breaking tackles as a carrier, disrupting the Japanese lineout and getting his hands inside the opposition maul and onto the ball. A couple of individual moments of brilliance, including a steal on the ground when England were under pressure and an athletic lineout take on a poor throw. Came strong in England’s ‘second wave’ at the 60-minute mark.
- Courtney Lawes – 6
The lock-turned-blindside started and finished the game strongly, with a sizeable quiet period in the middle of the game. He made some trademark momentum-changing tackles and demonstrated his ability in the wider channels, linking play with soft hands that didn’t exist a couple of seasons ago. Won a crucial breakdown penalty 10 minutes from the end, with Japan pressuring the English try line.
- Mark Wilson – 6
Short of the impressive performance he turned in against South Africa. Wilson got on the wrong side of the referee, pinged for being offside at the maul and not rolling away in the opening 15 minutes, as well as gifting Japan an advantage for being offside earlier in the game. He also knocked on early and struggled to have the same positive influence on the game that he had against the Springboks, although his second half try eased English worries.
- Zach Mercer – 5
A quiet performance from the number eight on his first start, who couldn’t make his presence known as his team struggled around him. He had a couple of noteworthy moments on the gain-line, either evading the tackle and getting England moving forward, or showing soft hands to bring in players inside or outside him.
Replacements
- Dylan Hartley – 6
Connected with an early lineout when George was sinbinned, as well as one to club teammate Lawes in the second half that he was able to drive over the try line from the maul.
- Ben Moon – 7
Just as he did coming off the bench against South Africa, Moon significantly bolstered the English scrum. England went from set-piece inconsistency to set-piece dominance once he and Kyle Sinckler arrived.
- Kyle Sinckler – 7
The tighthead brought real impact off the bench, both running hard and straight at the Japanese defensive line and acting as a playmaker on the gain-line, shifting the ball on with good hands.
- Ted Hill – 6
Came on late for his debut but didn’t have an opportunity to influence the game.
- Sam Underhill – 6
Put himself about defensively after coming on, bringing much-needed efficiency wrapping players up in the tackle. Grabbed a late turnover to cap his display.
- Richard Wigglesworth – 6
Clinical cameo from Wigglesworth, who showed good awareness to send Cokanasiga over for his first international try.
- Owen Farrell – 8
Sizeable impact from the bench, bringing leadership and communication in the defensive line, a better link to the outside channels on offence and a number of examples of good hands and clever kicks creating space for England.
- Henry Slade – 6
Had a nice break late that was unlucky not to lead to more and tracked back well defensively, saving England’s blushes on one particularly dangerous Japanese attack.
Watch: England scrum-half Danny Care speaks to RugbyPass.
Comments on RugbyPass
This looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to comments