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England set for Japanese return eight months after World Cup final loss

England will be back in Oita next July, the city where Jonny May led them into World Cup battle last month versus Australia (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images,)
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Beaten World Cup finalists England are set to return to Japan eight months after their loss to South Africa.

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Japan have confirmed they will host Eddie Jones’ side on a two-Test tour next July, starting in Oita, where England beat Australia in a quarter-final last month, and finishing in Kobe, the city where they defeated USA in September. 

Jones said: “Japan were fantastic Rugby World Cup hosts and we feel humbled to have been a part of it. The England squad had a fantastic experience of the country and we are excited to return in July next year.

“The Japan national team have shown again how good a side they are with their performances during the World Cup and I know they will provide a great test for us in July.”

England last played Japan in November 2018 at Twickenham, winning 35-15 after a tight first half. This was only the second time in history the two sides had played each other. 

The only previous meeting between the two nations was at the inaugural World Cup in 1987 when England secured a comfortable 60-7 victory in Sydney. England have never played a Test against Japan in Japan.

July Test Series 2020 – Japan v England

  • July 4: Showa Denko Dome, Oita
  • July 11: Noevir Stadium, Kobe

WATCH: Former England captain Dylan Hartley has retired with immediate effect

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Phantom 1 hour ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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