England
Japan
England welcome Japan to Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday 14 November, with Henry Pollock starting at No 8 and George Ford directing a changed backline. Kick-off in this Nations Championship Round 5 match is 16:40 GMT.
England arrive after a 45–22 win over Australia, while Japan are looking to respond to their 28–21 defeat in Wales. The home side have won three of their four matches in the competition; Japan have one victory. For Steve Borthwick’s team, this is an opportunity to turn a strong platform into another complete performance.
Photo: Henry Pollock carries against Australia at Allianz Stadium on 8 November. Paul Harding – Nations Championship/Nations Championship via Getty Images.
England v Japan team news
Maro Itoje captains England alongside George Martin in the second row. Pollock joins Ben Earl and Alex Coles in the back row, while Jack van Poortvliet partners Ford at half-back. Max Ojomoh and Henry Slade are the centres, with Cadan Murley, Will Joseph and Freddie Steward behind them. Marcus Smith is among the replacements.
Japan pair Naoto Saito and Kitahara at half-back. Warner Dearns and Harry Hockings start at lock, with Jack Cornelsen at No 8. Dylan Riley and Siosaia Tua form the midfield. Their challenge is to create quick possession without allowing England to dictate where each attack begins.
Ford’s control and Pollock’s support play
England do not need to rush towards the touchline to stretch Japan. A series of purposeful carries can narrow the defence before Ford chooses whether to play through the hands or kick into the space behind it. That decision becomes easier when the first receiver has options and the forwards arrive in support rather than isolation.
Pollock’s selection gives England a runner who can appear beyond the first collision. His most useful touches may come after someone else has drawn a defender: a short supporting line, a return pass or a carry against a retreating midfield. Earl can provide another threat in those exchanges, but the priority remains securing the next possession.
Japan need tempo with territory
Japan will want Saito to find a rhythm at the base of the ruck. Fast delivery can make England turn and defend successive changes of direction. It is much harder to do that from deep inside their own half, where one loose pass or a slow clear-out can leave them defending again.
The visitors therefore need accurate exits and a chase that gives their kicks a purpose. England’s back three must communicate under the high ball, particularly when the first catcher is immediately challenged. Japan can create pressure through those moments without trying to manufacture an ambitious attack from every possession.
The opening quarter should reveal whether England can keep the contest in the areas they want. If Japan are repeatedly forced into defensive lineouts and scrums near their own line, their attacking opportunities will become increasingly limited. If they protect possession and make England reset, the match becomes a more demanding examination of the hosts’ concentration.
ATR verdict
England to win comfortably. Their forward platform and Ford’s ability to manage territory should provide enough control. Japan’s best route to a competitive afternoon is to stay disciplined, preserve the ball and turn brief openings into points before England establish sustained pressure.