England v Japan LIVE: Heavily-changed hosts face familiar foe Eddie Jones in Nations Championship

A heavily-changed England are wary of the threat posed by a Japan side promising “unorthodox” rugby in their Nations Championship clash.

Steve Borthwick’s side made an excellent start to their November by sweeping aside Australia last weekend, but have since dealt with significant injury disruption. Borthwick uses this as a chance to rotate his team heavily, handing opportunities to a number of fringe figures and World Cup hopefuls looking to force their way more fully into the head coach’s thoughts.

They cannot afford to take their eye off the ball, though, against a Japan team coached by Eddie Jones. The former England boss has returned to Twickenham with the promise of throwing a few curveballs at his old employers, and there is plenty of talent within the Japanese ranks as they seek a first win over their hosts.

Follow all of the latest from the Nations Championship clash with our live blog below:

Why England’s fringe figures face World Cup audition against Japan

The maul has become too powerful – but rugby’s tactical trend is more interesting than you might think

The strange reason Japan can’t pick their best fly half against England

England v Japan LIVE

• England face Japan in Nations Championship | Live on ITV, kick off 4.40pm GMT
• Injury-hit hosts ring changes in World Cup audition for fringe figures
• Japan boss Eddie Jones returns to Twickenham to face former side

Warner Dearns wants Japan to flex muscles

Warner Dearns insists his Japan team must flex their muscles if they are to make an impression on England.

While head coach Eddie Jones has placed the focus on the left-field tactics needed to disrupt the overwhelming favourites, Dearns knows it will count for nothing if Japan fail to match them upfront.

“It’s always a set-piece battle against England,” the Brave Blossoms’ captain said.

“They do a very good job at the scrum and line-out and in the past we’ve ended up on the back foot a bit.

“They’re obviously very, very physical and I remember in 2022 when Eddie was England coach they brought line speed on our forwards and we didn’t have anywhere to go but backwards.

“I assume they’ll have similar tactics and bring the physicality again this time.”

How England have prepared for Eddie Jones and Japan’s ‘unorthodox’ rugby

Eddie Jones has promised that Japan will “do something different” today as they seek a first success against England – but the hosts believe they are ready for anything.

How England have prepared for Eddie Jones and Japan’s ‘unorthodox’ rugby

The strange reason Japan can’t pick their best fly half against England

England ring the changes, then, but Japan have dealt with a fair bit of difficulty on this tour, too. Eddie Jones would love to have Ryunosuke Ito at fly half today – but the youngster is playing university rugby instead. It is an idiosyncratic system...

The strange reason Japan can’t pick their best fly half against England

Why England’s fringe figures face World Cup audition against Japan

For a Max Ojomoh or Will Joseph, and perhaps a George Ford or Freddie Steward, this could be a day with real significance in 12 months time. Steve Borthwick says he thinks he knows 26 to 28 of his 33-man squad for next year’s World Cup – can anyone force their way into those final spots?

Why England’s fringe figures face World Cup audition against Japan

Will Joseph and Max Ojomoh given chance to shine in radical England revamp for Japan

England were excellent against Australia – so why has Steve Borthwick made 10 changes? Well, injuries have played a significant part, as well as a need to give opportunities to others a year out from the World Cup.

Will Joseph and Max Ojomoh given chance to shine in radical England revamp for Japan

England v Japan LIVE

England bid to build on an outstanding start to their November with Japan intriguing visitors to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium. There’s plenty of upheaval within the home side – can Japan boss Eddie Jones, who has promised “unorthodox” rugby, inspire a first success against over their hosts?

Kick off is at 4.40pm GMT.