Talking points as England kick off summer tour against Eddie Jones’ Japan

The match takes place at the National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

Published Jun 21

England and Japan will play their first official Test on Japanese soil when they clash at a humid National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday.

Here the PA news agency looks at five talking points for a game Steve Borthwick’s men enter as strong favourites.

Master v apprentice

Eddie Jones (left) and Steve Borthwick (right) go head to head in Tokyo (David Davies/PA)

All Blacks curtain raiser

Bigger tests than Japan await England on their summer tour and with New Zealand looming in a fortnight, Borthwick has selected a side that is close to first choice in the hope of building cohesion and momentum. The conditions in Tokyo and Dunedin – the setting for their first clash with the All Blacks – will be as different as the quality of the opposition, but a conclusive victory is still vital.

Smith’s time to shine

The indestructible man

Tom Curry is set to make his England comeback against Japan (Mike Egerton/PA)

Under reconstruction

Japan field four debutants including a player who still turns out for his university side as they begin rebuilding for the 2027 World Cup. It was classic Jones picking Yoshitaka Yazaki at full-back even though he has yet to appear in a professional game, but the Australian is convinced the 20-year-old is ready for the step up. Japan intend playing fast and loose to suit their strengths and need to avoid an arm wrestle up front, especially with two of those debutants appearing in the front row.