England will face Japan in their pool match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup after starting their campaign in France against Argentina.
The fixture will be just the second time England have faced Japan at the World Cup, running out 60-7 winners in 1987.
Japan were tournament hosts four years ago, when they topped a pool featuring Ireland and Scotland, before being knocked out by eventual winners South Africa in the quarter-finals.
When is it?
England will play Japan on Sunday, September 17, with the match kicking off at 8pm British Summer Time (9pm local time).
Where is it?
At the Allianz Riviera, or Stade de Nice, in the city of Nice on the French Riviera. The city’s football team OGC Nice, owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos, plays their home games there and the stadium also hosts occasional Toulon rugby matches. For rugby matches, the stadium has a capacity of a little more than 35,000.
How to watch on TV
ITV have exclusive broadcast rights to show the Rugby World Cup in the UK. We will update you with specific channels for each match at the tournament once they are announced by the broadcaster.
Radio commentary will be available only on the BBC, across Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds service. The BBC says there will be a “bespoke output” in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Amazon Prime will broadcast England’s first three World Cup warm-up games.
What is the recent history between the teams?
Although this will be the first World Cup match between England and Japan for 36 years, there have were Autumn Internationals fixtures in 2018 and 2022. England won on both occasions, 35-15 and 52-13 respectively.
What are England’s pool other matches?
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Saturday, Sept 9 – England v Argentina, Stade Vélodrome, 8pm
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Saturday, Sept 23 – England v Chile, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm
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Saturday, Oct 7 – England v Samoa, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm
Who is in the England squad?
A group of 44 players gathered as England stepped up their World Cup preparations at Pennyhill Park, with Steve Borthwick expected to name his final 33-man squad on August 7. Sam Underhill dropping out came as a surprise, and Charlie Morgan writes that his omission is a sign of Borthwick’s ruthlessness, and the England head coach must weigh up these five selection headaches.
The training squad at Pennyhill Park was as follows:
Forwards: Jamie Blamire, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Alex Dombrandt, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Jonny Hill, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, Tom Pearson, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Jack Willis, Tom Willis
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Joe Cokanasiga, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Jonny May, Cadan Murley, Guy Porter, Henry Slade, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Jack van Poortvliet, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs
What is the latest news?
Samoa overcame 14-man Japan and a shambolic lineout to win their Pacific Nations Cup test 24-22 on Saturday, just two months before they meet again in the Rugby World Cup.
Despite a red card for flanker Michael Leitch in the 30th minute, Japan led for most of the match under the Sapporo Dome thanks to the boot of Seungsin Lee. But the flyhalf struggled to unleash his backline. Japan’s only try was finished by debut lock Amato Fakatava in the sixth minute.
Samoa got tries from flanker Alamanda Motuga, scrumhalf Jonathan Taumateine and left wing Tumua Manu. Manu beat Kotaro Matsushima to tie the score at 22, and former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano’s third conversion put them in front for good with 17 minutes to go.
Leitch was sent off for a shoulder to the head in a double tackle but Lee’s five penalties had Japan leading 22-17 going into the last quarter.
Samoa prevailed in Japan for the first time since 2012 even after taking only seven of 14 throw-ins and being on the defensive for most of the second half.
The teams are due to meet in a third straight World Cup on Sept. 28 in Toulouse. AP
