England v Japan
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England
15 Elliot Daly (Wasps, 23 caps), 14 Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, uncapped), 13 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 28 caps), 12 Alex Lozowski (Saracens, 4 caps), 11 Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks, 41 caps), 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 49 caps) captain, 9 Danny Care (Harlequins, 83 caps),
1 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs, 4 caps), 2 Jamie George (Saracens, 30 caps), 3 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 13 caps), 4 Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 8 caps), 5 Maro Itoje (Saracens, 24 caps) vice-captain, 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 66 caps), 7 Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps), 8 Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby, 1 cap).Finishers
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints, 95 caps), 17 Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs, 2 caps), 18 Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 15 caps), 19 Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, uncapped), 20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 7 caps), 21 Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens, 31 caps), 22 Owen Farrell (Saracens, 63 caps), 23 Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 15 caps)There are 11 changes to the starting XV which faced New Zealand last weekend with two positional switches.On the squad selected Jones added: “This weekend is a good opportunity for us to test the depth of the squad. A number of players have changed their roles going from finishers to starters and starters to finishers so that is the essential change to the squad. It is exciting to be able to give starting opportunities to Zach Mercer and Joe Cokanasiga and young Ted Hill on the bench."Japan have won 11 of their last 17 matches in Europe, drawing one and losing five. Their last game on the continent saw them draw 23-23 with France last November. This is only the second Test match between the two countries. The first was a Rugby World Cup match in 1987 with England beating Japan 60-7 in Sydney, Australia.https://www.englandrugby.com/news/england-name-side-play-japan-quilter-internationals/
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Will be a hammering for Japan. Unfortunately.
Has Nowell played Outside Centre before?
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@mikethesnow He's played the odd game for Exeter there and at full back. Not his natural position by any means. Distribution is not one of his strengths.
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Fun looking team.
Happy that Cokanasiga got the nod and think it will be the first cap of many. Offers something completely different from the other options England have on the wing.
Some elevation for Ted Hill as well at 19. Has looked completely at home with senior rugby so far and will be interesting to see how he progresses this season.
Midfield another point of interest with Nowell switching in and Loz involved. Would love to see that Latter take the chance and claim the 12 shirt for the 6N
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Yeah, I'd back Cokanasiga to shine in this game but that comes with the caveat that Japan are not a Tier 1 nation. He's the type of guy that can really carve up against lesser opposition and I'd like to see him given the chance against the big boys. Like @Margin_Walker I think the guy has what it takes and really offers a different skill set to what we have currently.
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Yep, obviously a huge caveat with this game. Will be watching with interest all the same
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Pleased for Japan. Dare we hope for a repeat of their 2015 shock win.
Eddie Jones' comments about going to the temple to pray look not only insulting but patronising and unwise now.
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England being dominated by Japan in that first half.
In the dry weather, Japan able to play at a pace and with an agility England can't cope with.
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Eddie Jones tells Japan to 'go to the temple and pray' ahead of England clash
Eddie Jones has told Japan to ‘go to the temple and pray’ as he plots a physical battering of the team he coached at the 2015 World Cup. Any doubts concerning Jones’ future have s…
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Sevearl thoughts
Michael Leitch is just awesome
Tanaka's pass is still pretty crisp
From the other match - See Tonga had an "Owen Farrell" tackle moment , which Nic Berry awarded a penalty to Wales
Don't know what England are smoking they seem devoid of any sort of plan
Eddie Jones lloks like a pratt of the highest order with those temple comments
Japan coached by New Zealander and England coached by half Japanese Aussie - Go figure the world has gone mad! -
One trusts you are aware Eddie's mother is Japanese, as is his wife, and that he has spent a good many years living there and coaching at club and national level. I would think that Eddie, a cautious man, is a fairly good judge of what can and cannot be said in these circumstances in comparison to you and me.
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Well aware of Eddie's Japanese links and I suspect there was more than a tongue in check element about his trash talk. He gave those remarks in response to a jouurnalist who asked him about Michael Leith's comment about Japan wanting revenge on Eddie for all the slogging he gave them. 😉
England have brought on Underhill who I think will make a difference.
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George Ford kicks a penalty. 13-15.
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Yep England turning this into a bore-fest now, penalties starting to go their way, kicking to corners ho-hum
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England holding onto the ball better. Mark Wilson scores a try. Kick over. 20-15.
