SM
Fulham vs. Brentford: 1 hr 58 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Autumn Internationals | Autumn Internationals
Nov 17, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
England
35-15
Japan
Care (3'), Wilson (59'), Cokanasiga (70'), Hartley (76')
FT
Nakamura (22'), Leitch (31')

Japan have a point to prove, warns England coach

:Headline: Japan have a point to prove, warns England coach: ID:341731: from db_amp
Brave Blossoms will be out to make life tough for Eddie Jones' men at Twickenham on Saturday.

England are primed to face a Japan side determined to prove it belongs at the global game's top table when the nations clash at Twickenham on Saturday.

It is only the second time the rivals have met in a Test match, 31 years after they collided at the 1987 World Cup when the Brave Blossoms were crushed 60-7 in Sydney.

The most recent instalment of the tournament was far more successful, however, as an Eddie Jones-led Japan sent South Africa crashing to the greatest upset in rugby history at England 2015.

'Sushi night' was held at the squad's Surrey training base on Tuesday night as part of the week's theme, while on the pitch 11 changes have been made to the team which fell to a controversial 16-15 defeat to New Zealand.

It is hoped the reserve line-up will overrun Japan, enabling the likes of Owen Farrell, Dylan Hartley and Ben Youngs to take a back seat, but Jones refuses to take victory for granted.

"Previously Japanese sides were happy to get beaten – they were the Brave Blossoms – but this new generation believe they can win and that makes them a much stronger side," Jones said.

"They're extremely well coached by Jamie and Tony Brown, they've got a good balance between indigenous Japanese and non-indigenous Japanese and they've got some power where they need to have power."

Eddie Jones has been trying to recreate a World Cup turnaround in the build-up to facing Japan (Steven Paston/PA)

Jones is half-Japanese and coached the side for four years until 2015, but his allegiance is clear.

"The emotional connection doesn't disappear but I've never, by nationality, called myself Japanese because I was brought up as an Australian," he said.

"Japan was part of our family, and obviously marrying a Japanese, having a dog that only speaks Japanese, it's a big part of the family.

"But this is a serious Test match and you don't allow those things to cloud your thoughts."

amp_article__341731 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2018-11-16 16:23:05:
html db last update - 2018-11-16 16:23:05 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Neal Hatley

Click here for more stories about Japan

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool108111961325
2Manchester CityMan City1072121111023
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest10541147719
4Chelsea105322012818
5Arsenal105321711618
6Aston Villa105321715218
7Tottenham HotspurSpurs1051422111116
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton104421714316
9Bournemouth104331312115
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle104331010015
11Brentford94141818013
12Fulham93331212012
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd10334912-312
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham103251319-611
15Leicester CityLeicester102441418-410
16Everton102351017-79
17Crystal Palace10145813-57
18Ipswich TownIpswich100551021-115
19Southampton10118719-124
20Wolverhampton WanderersWolves100371427-133
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .