England’s outcomes this autumn have been underwhelming, with three straight defeats in opposition to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. The expectation going into November was to beat a minimum of two of these sides. As an alternative, they’re on their worst run of kind since 2018 having misplaced their final 5 Exams.
Whereas the go to of Japan on Sunday presents the chance to snap their dropping streak, coach Steve Borthwick may even be in search of a superb all-round efficiency from his aspect, significantly in defence, which has been uncovered at instances this month.
Eddie Jones’ return to Twickenham provides one other layer to the week, with the ex-England boss little doubt eager to trigger some complications for his former workforce.
Right here is every thing you must find out about Sunday’s conflict.
Key particulars:
When: Sunday, Nov. 24 at 4.10 p.m. UK (3.10 a.m. Monday AEST).
The place: Allianz Stadium Twickenham, London.
Learn how to watch: TNT Sports activities/ discovery+
Officers: Referee: Craig Evans
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi, Morne Ferreira
Tv Match Official: Olly Hodges
Type information:
England’s poor run of video games has been well-documented, and something apart from a convincing win over Japan will add to the grim temper surrounding the workforce. Whereas there is no such thing as a disgrace in dropping to South Africa, final week’s loss additional uncovered their points on defence and their incapability to shut out video games. Questions stay over whether or not the blitz defence system fits this England workforce. The defeat to the Springboks was additionally riddled with errors and sloppy errors.
Jones has had blended outcomes since returning to the Japan job in December. They’ve crushed groups they might be anticipated to resembling Canada and the USA, whereas they’ve additionally misplaced closely to Italy and Fiji, respectively. It is laborious to get a gauge on the place this aspect is at, however little doubt Jones might be pushing them laborious to enhance, particularly this week.
Staff information:
England are boosted by the return of back-rower Tom Curry, however Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Elliot Daly are injured. Curry replaces Charlie Ewles, whereas Cadan Murley has been introduced in to exchange Daly.
Key questions:
What tips will Eddie Jones have up his sleeve?
Jones’ tenure as England coach was a rollercoaster. He led them to 14 consecutive wins in 2016 and later to the 2019 World Cup remaining. He additionally claimed three Six Nations titles — together with the Grand Slam in 2016 — and two sequence wins in Australia, amongst different successes.
Nevertheless, the top of his time in England was rocky, with query marks concerning the tradition he created in camp. Regardless, he would certainly love nothing greater than to throw a spanner within the works and make life troublesome for his previous aspect.
His Japan aspect lookup for the problem, too. You would be forgiven for pondering they might be content material with simply making a sport of it. Apparently not, in the event you consider hooker Mamoru Harada. “Solely victory might be success this weekend,” he stated on Tuesday.
Would a giant England win assist ease the strain?
The narrative round this workforce will not change with in single Check. An arguably second-string New Zealand aspect beat Japan 64-19 in October, whereas England additionally gained 52-17 in Tokyo earlier within the 12 months. It’s a match England are anticipated to ease to victory. England head coach Steve Borthwick will need his aspect to tidy up the small print and present that their mixtures — significantly within the backline between Marcus Smith and the midfield of Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence — are beginning to gel. Whereas a giant win is anticipated, a poor efficiency could possibly be additional damaging for an England aspect beneath exterior strain.
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