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England they hit back at Eddie Jones’ claim that they could be vulnerable to harassment Japan on Saturday as they have one eye on the upcoming clash with New Zealand.
Jones aims to unsettle Steve Borthwick’s side by hitting them with the unexpected in the belief it will “distract them a bit” All black people‘ visit to the Allianz Stadium on November 21.
New Zealand are the box office as part of the campaign ahead of the finals weekend, but England are denying they are looking beyond Japan.
“It’s nowhere near the case because we understand how important this game is,” scrum coach Tom Harrison said.
“We understand the challenge that Japan can throw at us and we have to be alive at all times to the type of rugby they play.
“We understand that unorthodox things may be happening, but our need is to be alive.
“I’ve never worked with Eddie but I’ve met him a few times and he’s a rugby genius, the way he thinks about the game and the way the players talk about him.”
Cadan Murley wins his eighth cap but first at Twickenham after coming on for the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso on the left wing as one of 10 substitutes in Japan.
Murley, Max Ojomoh and Will Joseph aim to impress Borthwick after the head coach signaled that places in next year’s World Cup squad are up for grabs.
“I just want to go out there and play my best rugby,” Murley said. “I’m going to focus on what I can do, control the controls, and hopefully that will bring me into the mix going forward.
“But my only focus is on this game and to do my best. It’s my first game at Twickenham and that’s what’s on my mind at the moment.”