For the second match in Nice, England triumphed (34-12) against Japan. They are edging closer to the quarter-finals.
England faced Japan for the second day of group A. After their convincing victory against the Argentinians, the English wanted to solidify their standing. The Land of the Rising Sun also aimed to confirm their strong performance against Chile. English coach Steve Borthwick relied on the same players who participated in the match against Argentina.
From the start of the match, the English applied a lot of pressure and forced the Japanese into errors. George Ford did not hold back and converted the first penalty of the match. This opening score did not unsettle the determined Japanese. In fact, the English were pushed into making mistakes, and the Japanese equalized.
However, Matsuda’s teammates continued to offer opportunities to the English who took advantage, scoring the first try of the match in the twenty-fifth minute. The English flanker Lidlam capitalized on the Japanese defensive lapses to provide some breathing space for the Roses.
The Japanese reduced the gap at the end of the first half. The two teams went to the locker rooms with England leading (13-9). In the game, it was very scrappy for George Ford’s teammates, who were making numerous errors near the Japanese 40-meter line. Improvement from both sides was necessary to claim victory in the second half.
English a Bit More Convincing
Returning from the locker rooms, both sides were still confused with errors committed by both teams. The English, once again penalized, saw the Japanese narrow the score to just one point. But a stroke of luck would change the course of the match.
After a sluggish lineout play, the English capitalized on a lucky bounce off Marler’s head to recover the ball and score their second try. It was second-row Courtney Lawes who scored the English try.
From that point on, the match largely swung in favor of the Roses. Against the Japanese cornered in their own half, George Ford once again treated the Nice stadium to a high-level kick.
A kick landing in the hands of his fullback Steward, who scored the third English try, burying the Japanese hopes of victory. Thanks to a last-minute try by Marchant, England secured a win with the offensive bonus point.
A significant step towards the quarter-finals for the English, who will face Chile in the next match. Coach Joseph’s men will have to defeat Samoa in two weeks to reach the quarter-finals.
