England v Japan LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction after ludicrous try off Joe Marler’s head
England 34-12 Japan: Joe Marler’s accidental headed assist for Courtney Lawes’ try was the highlight of an error-strewn performance by England
England toiled at times but profited from a bizarre second-half try to defeat Japan 34-12 at the Stade de Nice and earn a bonus point in an unimpressive display that nonetheless leaves them in control of their Rugby World Cup Pool D.
With the game poised at 13-12, England captain Courtney Lawes cantered in for a try as the Japanese players stopped and watched, expecting to hear the referee’s whistle for a knock-on when the ball in fact deflected off the head of prop Joe Marler.
That turned the tide of the contest as England ran in four tries in all, No 8 Lewis Ludlam barging over in the first half before full back Freddie Steward crossed in the corner and centre Joe Marchant grabbed the bonus point with the final play of the game.
Before that England’s attack looked blunt as they battled to hold onto the ball and kicked away possession from promising attacking areas, but were let off the hook by a Japan side that did not have the quality to punish them.
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England 3-3 Japan, 19 mins
Not for the first time this tournament, the turf gives way as both sides engage at the scrum. England have the ball out but Ford’s kick is charged down!
Mitchell does superbly to gather to loose ball and England clear their lines. A lucky escape.
England 3-3 Japan, 15 mins
The thoughts of The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle as Japan pull level:
"That interminable maul threw off all of the timing of England's attempts to get both their centres crashing at the line, allowing Japan to counter with speed. Yutaka Nagare's ruck service has been excellent so far - Japan deservedly level."
PENALTY! England 3-3 Japan, (Matsuda, 13 mins)
England try to get Tuilagi into the came but the move goes awry and Japan can break. And break they do, impressively, all the way up the pitch to within just three metres of the line.
With the penalty advantage, Matusda looks for Naikabula with the cross-field kick but it’s just too much and it goes out of play. Back for the penalty...
The Japan fly-half slots it over and this game is level once again.
England 3-0 Japan, 10 mins
Up the pitch England go from the penalty, but a free-flowing move eventually ends up in touch again after Elliot Daly can’t keep hold of the ball coming his way. A frenetic, end-to-end start to this fixture so far.
England 3-0 Japan, 9 mins
England get themselves in a spot of bother as Daly gets tackled into touch inside their 22. But from the lineout, it’s superb work from England and Joe Marler, in particular,
The prop gets into the ruck quickly and wins England a huge penalty on their tryline.
England 3-0 Japan, 7 mins
A match to forget for full-back Masirewa. After knocking on the ball in the first minute, the Japanese player picks up an injury and is unable to continue. Lemeki on in his place
England 3-0 Japan, 5 mins
An ideal start from England as The Independent’s Harry Latham-Coyle sends this in:
"A horror start from Semisi Masirewa, ambling back over his own line and careless in picking it up. His spill leads to the simplest of starters from the tee for George Ford. Intriguingly, Ben Earl was stationed at number eight for England's first scrum - the back rower is wearing the number seven shirt but offers slightly more speed off the base than Lewis Ludlam. I'd expect them to swap when Japan have scrum feed."
PENALTY! England 3-0 Japan (Ford, 4 mins)
Ford slots it over from right in front of the posts and it’s the perfect start for England.
England 0-0 Japan, 3 min
Some thunderous contacts out of the scrum as England look to get over the line. Japan holds firm for now and after a knock on, the referee come back for a penalty.
England opting for the early points.
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