Owen Farrell spearheaded a rescue act from England’s powerful bench as a late and unanswered onslaught of points denied Japan a famous victory in its first visit to Twickenham on Saturday. England’s 35-15 win was in doubt heading into the final 10 minutes as the Brave Blossoms
Owen Farrell spearheaded a rescue act from England’s powerful bench as a late and unanswered onslaught of points denied Japan a famous victory in its first visit to Twickenham on Saturday.
England’s 35-15 win was in doubt heading into the final 10 minutes as the Brave Blossoms — emboldened by some strong pre-match rhetoric by Jones — threatened a similar giant-slaying to the one they performed in beating South Africa at the 2015 Rugby World Cup on English soil.
The Japanese outplayed England in the first half with some entertaining rugby to take a 15-10 lead into the break, days after Jones — the ex-Japan coach — warned his former players they would need to « go to the temple and pray » in the face of a « ruthless » challenge from England.
The arrival of Farrell as a halftime substitute — and England’s other so-called « finishers » during the second half as Jones emptied his bench — helped to change the flow of the game and the hosts scored all of their 25 second-half points from the 56th minute.
Mark Wilson, debutant wing Joe Cokanasiga, and co-captain Dylan Hartley scored tries, and flyhalf George Ford kicked 10 point to ensure England survived a scare, a week after running world champion New Zealand close last weekend.
