Jamie George has expressed satisfaction over England’s impressive performance against Eddie Jones’ Japan squad at Tokyo’s National Stadium where they secured a resounding 52-17 victory amidst the challenging weather conditions. Coach Steve Borthwick’s team demonstrated commendable control of the game, gearing up for their upcoming Test series against New Zealand and scoring eight tries.
Despite the challenging conditions of the match, the England captain conveyed pride in their approach to the game. Acknowledging the projected difficulty of achieving the desired outcome in an away game, he lauded the squad’s adaptability to the climatic conditions and impressive ball management, attributing their success to the exceptional skills of their speedy backs.
In this match, which marked their first face-off against Jones since his dismissal from the Rugby Football Union 18 months prior, England encountered no unexpected strategical shifts from their ex-coach as he embarked on his second stint at Japan’s helm.
Despite acknowledging the dedication and potential of Japan’s team, George held no reservations about the respect towards Eddie as a coach and a person. He praised Japan for their high-tempo play and predicted a prosperous future for them.
In the first half of the game, Marcus Smith shone brighter than others, validating his selection over Fin Smith in the outhalf position. However, the late dispatch of Charlie Ewels due to an hazardous clearing of Michael Leitch, made him the first England player ever to be sent off twice, casting a shadow on the team’s stellar performance.
Steve Borthwick, the head coach, was content with the final result and lauded the dedication of his players. Though he admitted to the dwindling coherence towards the end of the match, he expressed admiration for the Japanese team’s dexterity and ball control, indicating their potential for significant growth.
Jones and his youthful Japanese team didn’t have the anticipated triumphant comeback, given the severeities they faced on the field, underlining the immense reestablishment work that lay ahead for the Australian. Jones expressed, “The match was particularly challenging. England’s team boasts both strength and prowess.”
However, he was content with the team’s performance during the set-piece plays, which allowed the team to stay competitive for a considerable duration. He added, “We have been strategising around our offensive moves and while we managed to craft opportunities, we lagged in turning them into successes. Although our ball manoeuvring skills aren’t quite sharp yet, it is clear that there’s an enormous potential for Rugby in Japan.” He had initially highlighted the opponent’s strategic play, lauding it as highly formidable, acknowledging that it necessitated robust defence from his team, particularly during the initial 20 minutes.