After a difficult November, England will hope to finish with a flourish as they take on Japan and former coach Eddie Jones.
Defeat to South Africa last weekend was a fifth defeat on the spin for Steve Borthwick’s side, and there is little room for experimentation in what is a first-choice line-up named to end the Autumn Nations Series. Tom Curry returns from concussion in the back row while rookie prop Asher Opoku-Fordjour is set to make his debut off the bench.
Borthwick will be wary of a creative visiting side overseen by his former mentor. The current England coach spent eight years as an assistant to Jones with both Japan and England, and will know that the Australian is likely to have a trick or two up his sleeve as he returns to an old haunt.
Follow all of the latest from Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in our live blog below:
England vs Japan
England host Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham in their final autumn fixture | Kick-off at 4.10pm GMT
Steve Borthwick’s side have lost their last five Tests and are in desperate need of a win
Visiting coach Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham two years on from his sacking by England
Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight
13:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Steve Borthwick has named a strong England side, not risking rotation with the hosts in need of a win, but one selection has drawn particular criticism. Tom Curry suffered his second concussion of the season against Australia yet returns just two weeks on – Luke Baker explores a difficult issue that many feel rugby isn’t getting right:
Tom Curry’s England return brings rugby’s concussion problem back under spotlight
England vs Japan LIVE
Saturday 23 November 2024 16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Good afternoon and welcome along to The Independent’s LIVE coverage of England’s final Autumn Nations Series fixture against Japan. Three November defeats have extended England’s run without a win to five games, leaving them in need of a strong finish against a familiar foe in former coach Eddie Jones.
Kick off at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham is at 4.10pm GMT.
