Japan v England: rugby union international – live | Rugby union

Eddie Jones selected a largely inexperienced squad for his first test as Brave Blossoms head coach, with a freshman yet to make his senior debut at fullback.

Yoshitaka Yazaki showed plenty of promise in Japan XV’s recent World Rugby Pacific Challenge-winning campaign as well as last year’s U20 Rugby World Cup, but it is difficult for the 20-year-old to make such a huge leap to the elite level.

Michael Leitch is still there though. In his 16th year as a professional, he will captain the team for the first time from July 2021.

Japan: Languages; Naikabula, Riley, Osada, Nezuka; Lee, Sato; Mohara, Harada, Takeuchi, Waka, Durns, Leitch (capt), Costley, Makisi.

Subs: Sacate, Miura, Tamefusa, Saumaki, Yamamoto, Fujiwara, Matsuda, Tua.

Borthwick were rewarded by players who showed form for the home side and will field a group full of attacking promise.

Northampton’s George Fairbank and Tommy Freeman earn their place in the starting XV with Immanuel Fay-Waboso manning the wing. Henry Slade in midfield provides a try and Marcus Smith gets the nod at 10.

It’s a powerful package with Sam Underhill and Ben Earle united in a mobile band. Charlie Ewells is back in the squad and is one of four Bath players selected.

England: Furbank; Fahey-Waboso, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman; M Smith, Mitchell; Rhode, George (c), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Cunningham-Smith, Underhill, Earl.

Subs: Dunn, Marler, Stewart, Ewells, Currie, Randall, F Smith, Roebuck.

Preamble

Daniel Galan

It’s “a little strange” that England and Eddie Jones’ paths crossed so soon after theirs messy divorce in 2022

oh these are not my words but the sentiment expressed by England captain Jamie Georgewho went so far as to suggest that some England players would need to re-examine whether they were getting instructions from the wrong coach’s box.

He was joking, of course, but there is a strange twist of fate here. Jones remains England’s most successful manager in terms of win percentage with 72.8%, well ahead of Steve Borthwick’s record of 57.1%.

And as a former player who leaves an emotional imprint for life, Jones’ mark on this England team is still evident. Five of today’s matchday 23 were part of perhaps Jones’ most famous win – 2019 World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

It’s a new dawn for both teams and their coaches. Borthwick will be eager to build on unexpected success at last year’s World Cup proving he can add an attacking mind to his pragmatic game plan.

As for Jones, he will want to place disastrous Australian tenure behind him and Japan will be looking to up their game after falling behind for the past eight years.

It’s a compelling race, full of meaning and steeped in narrative. I can not wait!

If you have a thought you’d like to share, shoot me an email.

Kick-off 6:50am BST/2:50pm Tokyo.