England 78-15 Japan: Will Joseph Scores Five Tries as England Run In 13

England thrashed Japan 78-15 at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday, running in 13 tries – and five of them came from wing Will Joseph, playing for England for the first time since July 2022.

Will Joseph’s five-try day

Joseph scored inside the first minute and kept going. He had a hat-trick by the 20th minute, added a fourth on 25 minutes and completed his five tries on 56 minutes.

It was quite a comeback for the wing, who had not played for England since the summer of 2022.

Read more: Norway 3-1 Wales: Haaland Penalty Seals Defeat for Bellamy’s Side in Oslo

A nightmare start for Japan

Japan were in trouble almost straight away. Lock Harry Hockings was shown a red card after just a minute and sent off for 20 minutes, and England took full advantage.

Freddie Steward, Ellis Genge, Cadan Murley and Ben Earl also crossed in the first half, and England went in 49-10 up at the break. Japan’s only first-half try came from co-captain Warner Dearns on 37 minutes.

Thirteen tries – and it could have been more

George Martin, Ben Curry, Marcus Smith and Greg Fisilau added tries after the break, while replacement prop Opeti Helu scored for Japan.

England missed eight conversions – George Ford missed six and Henry Slade two – so the final score could easily have topped 90 points.

Eddie Jones’s return to Twickenham

It was a tough afternoon for Japan coach Eddie Jones, the former England head coach, on his return to Twickenham. Japan have still never beaten England, and before the game Jones admitted his side were “massive underdogs”.

What’s next?

England face New Zealand at the Allianz Stadium next Saturday, 21 November (kick-off 2.10pm). Japan travel to Murrayfield to play Scotland on the same day, also at 2.10pm.

Sources: Sky Sports, England Rugby.