The Brave Blossoms reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in 2019 on home soil, beating Ireland and Scotland en route to topping their group. Lewis Ludlam has been rewarded for his energetic cameo in England's win over Argentina with a starting spot at number eight. Prime members in UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Ireland can watch the 2022 Rugby Autumn Nation series on Prime Video for no additional fees. Where does that come from, ‘letting go’, asks Sonja McLaughlan? “Probably not worrying as much, probably not thinking too much. When you come together for the first time … you probably overthink things, and when it doesn’t go your way in the game, you probably overthink things even more. Not at all," said Ford. "The amount of games I have played with Owen at this level - I have loved every single second of it.

We have to] want the ball, get the ball in space and make things happen, and not wait for the perfect picture." mins:TRY - England 10-0 Japan! England shift the ball to the left, and Steward hits a great line off Smith's bullet of a pass. He evades Matushima to dive into the corner untouched, and Farrell adds the extras to give England a 10-point lead early on! And good morning from Pennyhill Park, where I am buried in the bowels of the ornate hotel awaiting the arrival of Jones and, crucially, his starting XV to face the Brave Blossoms. Vunipola, the sole specialist number eight in England's squad, is also on the bench after serving a two-match ban following his red card for a high hit on Andrew Porter in the defeat by Ireland last month.

Jones, naturally, relishes his shot at defying the odds. “England have only won 22 per cent of Tests against New Zealand,” he said, with a knowing grin. In fact, their success rate is even worse than this, at 19 per cent. The second half began in much the same vein as England piled on the pressure early. A series of penalties, line-out mauls and big carries from the forwards culminated in Ellis Genge crashing over for the first try of the second period, before Porter latched onto a clever grubber from Owen Farrell to score his second. Japan rallied, and replacement scrum-half Saito raced onto Warner Dearns' offload to dot down under the posts.

BetMGM in the US has a touch more faith in Japan, having chances of an England victory slightly shorter at 1/14, while Japan's odds are also shortened to 13/2. You should see him in training - nothing has changed because he isn't involved at the weekend, he has been driving things as he normally would." Owen Farrell and George Ford, seen here playing for England under-18s in 2009, are childhood friendsHello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of England’s second Pool D match, against Japan in Nice. Mako Vunipola, meanwhile, admitted yesterday that the end of Alex Lozowski's England career following a mistake against Japan serves as a vivid reminder of the danger in underestimating Saturday's opponents. It will complete an unexpected return for the 32-year-old after he was told he would miss entire Autumn Nations Series due to breaking two metatarsals on club duty for Saracens against Leicester on October 1. Saracens hooker Jamie George is named on the bench, having recovered from a foot injury suffered at the start of October sooner than expected given he was initially ruled out until December. The way the game is at the moment, you need to have three line-out jumpers. [Moving Curry to six] might come into vogue [like in 2019], but at the moment we need three line-out jumpers."

England are well placed to progress, and while their present approach to play may not have many advocates outside of their squad, the efficacy so far is less up for debate. Expect more of the same today, this is Tournament Rugby™, after all. England will be boosted by the return to the squad of hooker Jamie George to the 36-man training squad this week, but will suffer from the absence of Courtney Lawes for the duration of the series, with the England captain likely ruled out until the Six Nations. After scoring 27 points without crossing the tryline against Argentina, it was England's highest score without a try in a Test since 2000 against South Africa in Bloemfontein. mins: Japan finally win good ball off their own scrum and move the ball right. Riley makes a half-break and the Brave Blossoms recycle it to Tatafu. He also pokes his nose through the line, before Japan switch it left, but Leitch is barrelled into touch to bring the chance to a close. Explaining the decision to drop Tuilagi to the bench in favour of Leicester centre Guy Porter, Jones said it was "all about workload".

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US: Subscription service FloSports has exclusive rights to the Autumn Nations Series with matches available to stream online. What time is England vs. Japan? Ford ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for Leicester in the 2022 Premiership final, delaying his start to life at new club Sale Sharks and putting his Test career on hold.

mins:Japan win a penalty and from the line-out, Riley hits a great line to make a half-break. England do eventually turn it over though, and Smith's clearance from his own line is a belter, travelling well into the Japanese 22 and giving the hosts some breathing space. There is also a return for Jonny May on the left wing in place of Cokanasiga. May's return comes just three weeks after England's second-highest men's try-scorer suffered a dislocated elbow playing for Gloucester against London Irish, with the wing making a remarkable recovery. He's exceptionally strong and he's moving really well. I sense the hunger in him and a desire in him to want to do exceptionally well for England in this World Cup." View from Japan's camp MORE: Autumn series is time for England to experiment ahead of 2023 World Cup How to watch England vs. Japan mins:Dearns carries to within a millimetre of the line, before Japan recycle the ball left. Riley grubbers in behind, but it's grounded in-goal by Farrell for a goal-line drop-out.

Replacements: Theo Dan, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, Marcus Smith, Ollie Lawrence