England player ratings vs Japan | Autumn Nations Series
England player ratings live from Twickenham: Eddie Jones’ England tuned up for next weekend’s showdown with the All Blacks with an encouraging seven-try demolition of an out-of sorts Japan to draw a line under last Sunday’s loss to Argentina.
There had been much pre-game dissatisfaction with the way Jones has gone about his business of trying to mould his group into potential World Cup winners. The defeat to the Pumas was the fifth England loss in nine matches in 2022 and the fear has been that he is running out of time to get things properly right.
It’s a rejuvenation challenge he has managed before – the last time Japan visited London, England were running at six defeats in ten matches in that 2018 calendar year yet they went on to contest the following year’s World Cup final. Here, with an initially sunny day providing a perfect backdrop, Jones’ players got things back on track again with another much needed win over their Far East visitors.
England were booed for pointing at the posts to take an early 3-0 but the mood became far more jovial by the time Marcus Smith was touching down for his team’s second try on 24 minutes, twelve minutes after the immense Freddie Steward had benefited from a Smith assist.
Seventeen points ahead, England were unable to build on that advantage for quite some time. Instead, they gave up six points from penalties and lost Jonny May to a yellow card for that second infringement.
STONE-GENGE ?
No stopping @EllisGenge from that far out. #AutumnNationsSeries | #ENGvJPN pic.twitter.com/4iHaEtlLsM
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
However, they finished the opening period on the high of a Guy Porter try while still down to 14 players and the third Owen Farrell conversion of the afternoon had the hosts 24-6 clear at the break. That score was effectively the end of the Japanese resistance as they were a shadow of the gutsy display that ran the All Blacks close a fortnight ago in Tokyo.
Quickfire second half tries from Ellis Genge and Porter soon spun the scoreboard out to a generous 38-6 margin, setting the stage for the bench cavalry to arrive, but the reserves initially stumbled in maintaining direction as Naoto Saito grabbed a converted Japanese try back.
That, though, was only a fleeting mishap as England eventually finished well, a penalty try being followed by a second for Smith to seal the 52-13 win. Here are the England player ratings:
15. Freddie Steward – 9
The pattern is usually for swashbuckling first season young stars to endure some second season difficulties but that doesn’t apply to Steward and his class was quickly evident. He raced in for the opening try, embarked on a searing gallop to create the momentum for the second, he kicked well and was a dominant presence in the air. Lovely, lovely stuff.
14. Joe Cokanasiga – 7
Wasn’t supposed to be involved after getting dropped for Jonny May, but Jack Nowell’s late cry-off enabled him to get back in and he had a more incisive outing despite some missed tackles and some lost possession. He lasted until 16 minutes from time.
13. Guy Porter – 8.5
In for just his third cap, partly due to Jones wanting to mind Manu Tuilagi but also to see what rapport might be struck with Farrell, with whom Porter hadn’t before combined with. There were plenty of encouraging involvements, capped off by his try on the stroke of the interval and then his second on the resumption. Stayed around until the 64th minute treble substitution.
12. Owen Farrell – 8.5
There has been much conversation about his value stationed at inside centre but he mixed play up much better here with Smith. For instance, he stepped into the ten position to free up Smith on his outside for the first England try. His passing was mostly crisp – see the late pass to put Henry Slade away – as was his kicking, play summed up by the left-footed dink for Porter’s second try. He was also his team’s busiest tackler in the backs. Excellent off the kicking tee as well, landing all six of his conversions and a penalty.
11. Jonny May – 7.5
Amazing recovery from his serious-looking injury at London Irish 22 days ago. He sent a surge through the crowd with his 100-metre sprinter-like ball chase on nine minutes, but he blotted his report card with missed tackles and his late first-half yellow card for not rolling away after an excellent chase back. Nearly had a try at the end only for the bobbling ball to roll dead on him.
Make it ?? for Porter!
The centre scores his second try on his home debut following great vision from Owen Farrell.#AutumnNationsSeries | #ENGvJPN pic.twitter.com/bhKJzoF4kq
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
10. Marcus Smith – 8.5
The wait has been ongoing for Smith to be more like his Harlequins self. It’s a difficult thing to produce within the more restricted England structure, but there were positive signs of an improved understanding with Farrell and loads of positional switching when required. He was also helped by quicker service inside him from scrum-half. Scored two tries and played with his smile back. Now for his litmus test versus the All Blacks.
9. Jack van Poortvliet – 9
England needed an injection of tempo and the player who scored within seconds of coming off the bench last Sunday gave zip here to his team with speedier ball movement. His lovely running was also a joy. Look at his early second half break down the left not long after he was putting in an important tackle on the other side of the field on halfway. The big question now after an industrious 64 minutes is will be start next Saturday?
1. Ellis Genge – 8.5
Would have been pleased with the first half set-piece, the scrum wrangling three penalties from the Japanese. Then chipped in with a well-finished try eight minutes into the second half before trooping off with a job well done – bar a few missed tackles – a few minutes later.
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – 7
Had more energy about him than six days ago and his ambition with his throwing was evident. Played 53 improved minutes.
3. Kyle Sinckler – 7.5
More evident than last weekend, which he needed to be, and he nearly went the distance, playing nearly 70 minutes. He carried and scrummaged/tackled well. A perfectly-timed tune up with the ABs and the Springboks on their way to London.
4. Dave Ribbans – 7
Another weekend, another Northampton player getting a Test debut in the England engine room alongside Jonny Hill. The South African, who qualified through residency, is a lovely operator and he showed some neat touches here. However, he was gone for clubmate Alex Coles on 54 and it would be a surprise to see him start next weekend with England needing Maro Itoje back at lock.
?? Marcus Smith somehow finds time on the ball to score in the corner at the end of a splendid phase of play from @EnglandRugby@Breitling #MissionAccomplished #Breitling pic.twitter.com/6JdJnu6i9b
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 12, 2022
5. Jonny Hill – 7.5
England need a Hill fully firing to be at their best and he is on his way back towards that summit. The penalty conceded for tackling high at the start of the second half indicated he is not quite there yet, but a great steal and fab one-handed pass was brilliant in the creation of the second Porter score. Gave way on 62.
6. Maro Itoje – 7.5
Playing this world-class lock at blindside is a debate that will run and run, no matter what excuse Jones will suggest in defence of his selection. Enjoyed a whopping clear out to free up Japanese ruck ball for the fifth England try before finishing the game back at second row after Billy Vunipola replaced Hill.
7. Tom Curry – 7.5
Got through his work with great efficiency – he was England top tackler with a reported 24 – to ensure that a tricky back row battle wasn’t at all as worrying as billed. Didn’t get on the ball, though.
8. Sam Simmonds – 8
Back in for Vunipola, he showed he hasn’t lost his eye for activity near the try line with a lovely in and out to draw the last defender and provide Porter with his first-half run in. Finished as his team’s best most industrious ball carrier.
Replacements:
16. Jamie George – 7.5
Another player that looked to be unavailable for the series through injury, he stepped off the bench on 53 minutes with the score at 38-6. Would have enjoyed the late maul penalty try. Big tackle count as well and could be a started next weekend.
17. Mako Vunipola – 6.5
On for Genge with 27 minutes remaining, a scrum penalty was conceded at his first set-piece.
18. Joe Heyes – 7
There were just twelve minutes remaining when he was introduced but that was enough for him go and lead the maul to the line that produced a penalty try.
19. Alex Coles – 7
A starter on his debut last Sunday, he was a 54th minute introduction here. The going was initially tough but he got stuck in with the tackles.
20. Billy Vunipola – 6.5
His 62nd minute arrival for Hill allowed Itoje to jump back into the engine room, but he didn’t get much to do himself and was limited in his few carries.
21. Ben Youngs – 6.5
Arrived on 64 minutes with the score at 38-13, he helped to up the tempo after it dipped for a short spell.
22. Henry Slade – 8
Milestone 50th cap arrived off the bench on 64 when in for Cokanasiga, it was his hack on that created Smith’s second score and he then made an excellent break that ended with the kick which nearly had May in.
23. Manu Tuilagi – 6.5
An unusual bench role for the midfield powerhouse, he played the closing 16 minutes and was quiet enough.
Comments on RugbyPass
Results probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
1 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
56 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
8 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
61 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to comments