England will look to increase their successful run after they face Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, 14 November, within the fifth spherical of the 2026 Nations Championship.
Steve Borthwick’s facet enter the competition following a 45-22 victory over Australia, however a number of accidents have disrupted their preparations. England are chasing a fourth consecutive win, having additionally overwhelmed Fiji and Argentina throughout July’s Southern Hemisphere sequence.
Japan arrive after a slim 28-21 defeat in opposition to Wales in Cardiff. Former England head coach Eddie Jones will return to Twickenham trying to safe Japan’s first Take a look at victory over his former facet.
The match kicks off at 4.40 pm GMT and might be broadcast reside on ITV1 and ITVX.
England’s damage issues complicate choice
England’s seven-try victory over Australia strengthened their place within the Northern Hemisphere standings, however the outcome got here at a substantial price.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso suffered a proper ankle damage in the course of the first half following a deal with by Australian prop Angus Bell. The Exeter winger will miss the rest of the Nations Championship.
Tom Curry can also be unavailable for the remainder of the marketing campaign after sustaining a hip damage in coaching earlier than the Australia match.
In the meantime, Seb Atkinson, Ollie Chessum and George Furbank look prone to miss Saturday’s encounter. Atkinson has a hip damage, Chessum has a shoulder downside, and Furbank is recovering from a groin damage.
England hope the three gamers may return in opposition to New Zealand on 21 November.
Borthwick responded by making six adjustments to his 36-man coaching squad on Monday, 9 November. Reuters
Noah Caluori, Max Ojomoh, Tobias Elliott, Jack Kenningham, Max Hicks and Archie McParland joined the group making ready for Japan.
The adjustments give England choices throughout the backs and forwards, though the ultimate matchday squad has but to be confirmed.
Henry Pollock may even have an necessary function after his uncommon contribution in opposition to Australia.
The Northampton Saints back-row ahead changed Feyi-Waboso on the wing at half-time and scored twice as England pulled away from the Wallabies.
Jamie George, Ollie Chessum, Joe Heyes, Jack van Poortvliet and Ben Spencer additionally crossed the attempt line throughout England’s highest-scoring efficiency in opposition to Australia.
Pollock’s versatility affords Borthwick another choice, however his efficiency on the wing doesn’t assure that he’ll play there in opposition to Japan.
England should now stability their choice adjustments with the necessity to keep momentum earlier than dealing with New Zealand the next weekend.
Japan search enchancment after slim Wales defeat
Japan’s defeat in Cardiff demonstrated why England can not rely solely on their superior head-to-head report.
The Courageous Blossoms scored three tries and remained aggressive all through their assembly with Wales on 7 November.
Ben Gunter and Warner Dearns crossed in the course of the first half, whereas alternative scrum-half Kenta Fukuda scored late to cut back the deficit to seven factors.
Japan threatened to stage the match in the course of the closing levels, however Wales secured a turnover to protect their 28-21 victory.
The Japanese lineout additionally triggered Wales issues, offering attacking possession and disrupting the hosts’ set-piece play.
In line with the Japan Rugby Soccer Union’s match report, head coach Eddie Jones praised his workforce’s dedication however acknowledged that errors close to the opposition attempt line prevented Japan from changing stress into factors.
These missed alternatives will concern Jones forward of one other troublesome away task.
Japan have demonstrated a capability to assault by fast passing and help working. Nonetheless, they have to make higher use of possession contained in the opposition’s 22 if they’re to problem England.
Their efficiency in opposition to Wales additionally confirmed the significance of remaining aggressive on the breakdown and sustaining defensive self-discipline.
England will anticipate their forwards to ascertain management, however Japan’s willingness to maneuver possession rapidly may take a look at a house facet coping with adjustments in personnel.
Nations Championship standings improve the stakes
England’s victory over Australia moved them into second place within the Northern Hemisphere standings after 4 rounds.
France lead with 17 factors, whereas England and Eire have 15 every. England sit above Eire on factors distinction.
Japan occupy fifth place within the Southern Hemisphere group with 5 factors, having collected a shedding bonus level in opposition to Wales.
For England, one other victory would strengthen their problem for a spot within the inaugural Nations Championship ultimate.
The brand new competitors options 12 nations divided into Northern and Southern Hemisphere teams.
Every workforce performs six matches in opposition to opponents from the other hemisphere, with three fixtures going down in July and one other three in November.
The outcomes decide the ultimate rankings inside every group.
As defined in World in Sport’s Nations Championship fixtures and title information, the first-placed groups from each hemispheres will meet within the ultimate at Twickenham on 29 November.
The opposite ten nations will contest classification matches in opposition to groups ending within the corresponding place within the reverse group.
England due to this fact have greater than a house victory at stake.
France stay forward within the standings, whereas Eire are additionally competing for the highest place. Bonus factors and factors distinction may develop into necessary if the main groups end stage.
Japan have totally different ambitions. A victory would enhance their place within the Southern Hemisphere group and provide proof of their progress in opposition to main European opposition.
Earlier conferences favour England
England have received all six earlier capped internationals in opposition to Japan.
Their most up-to-date assembly got here at Twickenham on 24 November 2024, when England secured a convincing 59-14 victory.
Borthwick’s facet scored 9 tries, with Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie claiming two every.
England additionally defeated Japan 52-17 in Tokyo earlier that yr and received 34-12 in the course of the group stage of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
These outcomes show England’s historic benefit, notably by their bodily power and talent to complete attacking alternatives.
Nonetheless, earlier outcomes provide no assure about Saturday’s final result.
Japan have continued growing underneath Jones, who returned for a second spell as head coach in 2024.
His familiarity with English rugby provides one other dimension to the competition.
Jones guided England to 3 Six Nations titles and the 2019 Rugby World Cup ultimate throughout his tenure between 2015 and 2022.
He additionally is aware of the calls for of enjoying at Twickenham and the expectations surrounding England’s worldwide programme.
For Borthwick, the problem is to make sure that his facet impose their strengths with out permitting Japan to dictate the tempo of the match.
The place the match could possibly be determined
England’s attacking efficiency in opposition to Australia offered encouragement after an inconsistent yr.
Their forwards created alternatives, whereas their backs completed a number of strikes successfully.
Fin Smith additionally impressed at fly-half, changing 5 of England’s seven tries.
Sustaining that attacking accuracy might be necessary in opposition to Japan.
The guests demonstrated in opposition to Wales that they will compete bodily and disrupt opposition possession. Their lineout efficiency was notably encouraging.
England should due to this fact shield their set-piece ball and keep away from giving Japan alternatives to assault from turnovers.
The breakdown may show equally important.
Japan will look to generate fast possession and problem England’s defensive organisation. The hosts, in the meantime, will goal to gradual Japan’s attacking rhythm and set up territory by their kicking recreation.
England’s adjustments in midfield and the again three could affect how successfully they handle these conditions.
Borthwick should determine whether or not to retain the attacking construction that labored in opposition to Australia or alter his method to accommodate the obtainable gamers.
Japan additionally face choice selections following their demanding encounter in Cardiff.
Either side have proven attacking potential, however their means to restrict errors may decide how aggressive Saturday’s match turns into.
England vs Japan: Kick-off time and TV protection
England face Japan on Saturday, 14 November 2026, at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.
The schedule lists Kick-off for 4.40 pm GMT.
The Nations Championship encounter might be proven reside within the UK on ITV1, with streaming obtainable by ITVX.
Supporters attending the fixture can discover admission preparations, stadium opening occasions and different particulars by the official Allianz Stadium matchday data.
England will return to Twickenham on Saturday, 21 November, to face New Zealand of their ultimate group match earlier than the Nations Championship Finals Weekend.
Japan will journey to Edinburgh to fulfill Scotland on the identical day.
For Borthwick, Saturday’s speedy precedence is to safe one other victory regardless of the accidents affecting his squad.
For Jones, the encounter presents a chance to problem England at Twickenham and construct on the aggressive efficiency his gamers produced in opposition to Wales.
Each groups nonetheless have necessary matches forward, however the final result on Saturday may considerably affect their ultimate positions within the inaugural Nations Championship.
