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England player ratings vs Japan | 2024 Autumn Nations Series
By Josh Raisey at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham
England player ratings: England snapped their five-match losing run against Japan on Sunday at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium, beating Eddie Jones’ side 59-14 to register their first win of their Autumn Nations Series.
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In the midst of Storm Bert, which had a strong influence on the game, England were able to rely on their power up front.
It was not enough to salvage what has been a disappointing November for England, but it was nevertheless a much-needed win.
Plenty of players righted some wrongs after a frustrating month, as Steve Borthwick opted to make minimal changes.
Here’s how the England players rated:
1. Ellis Genge – 7
Was literally running forwards in one scrum penalty he won, which gave England the platform to score their fourth try of the match. An impressive 13 tackles made despite playing just over 50 minutes.
2. Jamie George – 8
Considering he was throwing in a gale at times, England’s captain’s delivery at the lineout was exquisite with a 100 per cent record. Rewarded as a result with two tries, albeit he was helped by an 11-man maul for his first and a 10-man effort for his second. Led England’s tackle charts when he left the field after 48 minutes with six.
3. Will Stuart – 9
After going toe-to-toe with the South Africa scrum last week, the tighthead was able to really flex his muscles this week and had the Brave Blossoms’ scrum marching backwards. Even on one occasion slipped in the scrum but was able to get back to his feet and win a penalty. Marcus Smith would have been proud of the floated miss-pass he threw in Ollie Sleightholme’s first try – sensational. Looks to be adapting to the blitz defence adroitly, as he burst out the line to greet ball carriers with his 128kg frame a few times.
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4. Maro Itoje – 7
England’s top tackler and plagued Japan at the breakdown, winning a couple of turnovers. His rip in the second half helped England regain control of the match when it was getting sloppy.
5. George Martin – 7
Penalty conceded after early big hit, but that was a sign of his intent as he led the charge in England’s ferocious defensive effort. Drifted wide to leave the space for Japan to run into for their second try. But 14 tackles in 67 minutes was a good return.
6. Tom Curry – 6
Although he produced a commendable 14 tackles, the flanker was fairly quiet compared to his usual all-action performances.
7. Sam Underhill – 7
Two tries in two games for the openside, and not too dissimilar to his finish against South Africa the week before as he managed to dot the ball down while being held up. Unfortunately, that was his last intervention as he left the field injured.
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8. Ben Earl – 7
Pinged on one occasion for a low no-arms tackle, which is becoming a bit of a theme for the No 8. Scored the opener, and though it was a clear run to the line, the Saracen still had to show off his pace. The only England player to make double figures with his carries, and did the same with his tackles.
9. Jack van Poortvliet – 7
After a shaky start, which included being run over by Sanaila Waqa and caught at the breakdown, the Leicester Tigers No 9 grew into the game and proved to be a constant menace in and around the ruck. Though the scoreboard suggested this was a day for free-flowing rugby, it was van Poortvliet’s boot that put England in advantageous field positions with contestable kicks.
10. Marcus Smith – 8
Always tested Japan’s defence be it with his passing or carrying. This was not all swashbuckling rugby, but the Harlequin pulled the strings perfectly. His half-hour at full-back had a number of flashy runs in too. Not a perfect kicking display from the tee, but that was inevitable given the howling wind.
11. Ollie Sleightholme – 7.5
Perhaps slightly hesitant rushing out the line in Japan’s first try, although it still took some finishing. Made up for it minutes later with his own try, which was finished well with a deft grubber.
12. Henry Slade – 7
Not a performance that was littered with standout moments, but Slade did the basics very well at inside centre, often stepping in at first-receiver. His handling ability and cultured left foot – particularly for George Furbank’s try – freed up Marcus Smith to play with much more freedom.
13. Ollie Lawrence – 8.5
Linked perfectly with Marcus Smith to power through flailing Japanese arms to put Ben Earl in for the opening try of the match. Displayed some brute strength to bounce Jone Naikabula, but also showed that he is not simply a battering ram when he danced past defenders and offloaded to put Stuart in for a break in Sleightholme’s try- a side of his game many know he has but has rarely been exhibited this month.
14. Tommy Freeman – 9
World-class leaping finish in the corner for England’s disallowed fourth try. Freeman’s kick chase was superb all evening, which was the backbone of England’s territorial dominance. More world-class action with his behind-the-back pass for Northampton Saints team-mate Furbank’s try. Showed his versatility by shifting to outside centre for the final quarter, which is another string to his Test bow heading into the Six Nations.
15. George Furbank – 8
Stepped in at first-receiver on plenty of occasions, which adds so much fluidity and width to England’s attack. With Slade playing a similar role, this was a glimpse of how many wish England would play. Defensively he was almost never put under any pressure, as the visitors failed to capitalise on the inclement weather to put his high-ball catching under pressure. On hand to score a try before leaving the field after 55 minutes.
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16. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 8
Got in on the try-scoring action just like his captain with two himself, although his required a little more strength than George’s two, as the Exeter Chief pinballed his way over shortly after coming on, then burrowed over a few minutes later.
17. Fin Baxter – 7.5
Some strong scrummaging and was busy in the loose, putting in a number of tackles to show-off his workrate.
18. Asher Opoku-Fordjour – 7
A nice game to make your debut with England’s scrum with the upper hand.
19. Nick Isiekwe – 6
Didn’t have long at the end.
20. Chandler Cunningham-South – 8.5
Metres after contact in almost every carry the flanker made after coming on after the opening quarter of the match. Doesn’t necessarily break tackles, but seldom goes backwards. The stats say he only produced one dominant hit, but the Japanese ball-carriers would likely disagree with that.
21. Harry Randall – 7
Was given over 30 minutes to show what he can do and help an England side that had lost their rhythm in the opening ten minutes of the second half and helped shift their attitude.
22. Fin Smith – 7
Playing his first game of England’s autumn, the Saints fly-half was given 30 minutes to impress his style on the England backline, and he did so. Tom Roebuck will be particularly grateful, Smith found his winger in space on a number of occasions be it with a fizzed pass or crossfield kick.
23. Tom Roebuck – 8
Deprived of his first Test by a tap-tackle not long after coming on, but made amends minutes later with a solo effort, showing a strong fend and swerve at pace.
great to see Fin Smith given a shot. Hoping against hope that he and Ford are trusted to run things in the 6N. We urgently need a fly-half who is capable of bringing his outside backs into the game.
I understand where you're coming from but I really don't think Marcus Smith is the main issue. Neither Farrell or Ford have managed to get the England backline looking dangerous for the last decade. It's a coaching problem, not a flyhalf problem. We haven't looked to have any consistent attacking strategy in the backs since Lancaster and Catt.
At the moment Marcus Smith is the only creative spark this team has going for it. There is 0 chance he's being dropped, save injury. If you want our backs to get into the game more it's Wigglesworth (and possibly Borthwick) who need to go, not Smith. If you drop Ford or Fin into this current system, you won't see them play how you're hoping they will play. The rest of the backline just isn't setup for it.
Not entirely sure I was watching the same game.
Overpraised - a result of seeing an actual victory, I guess.
Furbank defensively inept - once again he faces a 2 on 1, sits back waiting for the pass which doesn't come and the man carrying the ball does him on the inside. AGAIN!
I don't see the point of these rate the player articles. They gave Nick Isiekwe 6/10 because "he wasn't on for long"
What is the point? How subjective do you wanna be? I'm giving him one because INNEUENDO BINGO!