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England welcome Eddie Jones’ Japan to the Allianz Stadium on Saturday as a build-up to Nations Championship finals weekend continues.
Here, the Press Association looks at five pre-match talking points.
Turning the corner
England achieved their remarkable performance in an otherwise poor 2026 by skipping Australia 45-22 in the fall opener. It was a win that removed the uncertainty that continued to surround head coach Steve Borthwick and set up a strong finish to the year. Japan, ranked 12th in the world and set as 40-1 underdogs, are not expected to cause England to stumble ahead of their Nations Championship main event against New Zealand.
Seize the day
It is a match of particular importance to Will Joseph, Max Ojomoh and Cadan Murley, who have been told the second of this month’s four Tests is a World Cup audition. Borthwick already knows most of the team he will pick for Australia 2027, leaving around five spots up for grabs. It is these fringe spots that are the hardest to pick, and with Japan offering a rare opportunity for Test debutants to attract Borthwick’s attention, a strong individual display could tip the scales in their favour.
The stage is set for Joseph
With explosive wing Immanuel Feyi-Waboso missing the rest of the autumn with an ankle injury sustained against the Wallabies, Joseph has the platform to translate his electric form for Gloucester this season on the world stage. The 24-year-old has already featured once as a substitute on the 2022 summer tour to Australia, but is now in a better place to show his ability to beat defenders with his strength and pace. “He’s going to be a player” was Sir Kevin Sinfield’s verdict after watching Joseph run in a string of outrageous tries in training.
World Cup dry run
Borthwick juggled multiple targets by making 10 changes for Japan, with just three players retaining their starting places against Australia. As well as giving fringe contenders a chance to shine and resting influential personnel such as Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman, this is a rehearsal for a six-day turnaround between Tonga and Zimbabwe games at the World Cup when England will need to rotate to ensure their big guns are ready for the crucial Pool F game against Wales.
Eddie plans the Twickenham ambush
Japan have lost all six of their previous Tests against England, but Jones warned they are ready to outdo Borthwick’s men in the belief they will have one eye on All black people. The former Red Rose boss has promised some curveballs designed to cause havoc and has already thrown one into the selection by handing weekday specialist Riku Tokito his debut in the 15 on the left wing as a replacement for the injured Inoke Burua.