Marcus Smith stars as England claim historic win over Japan in Tokyo to kick start summer series
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 22/06/2024 at 10:00 GMT
England began their summer series tour in the best fashion possible with a landmark win over Japan in Tokyo. Eight players scored tries in the Japanese capital, as Harlequins' Marcus Smith enhanced his Test credentials with 13 points. Steve Borthwick's side will now turn their attention to a challenging Test match against New Zealand on July 6, before facing the All Blacks again a week later.
'You beauty!' - Dingwall and Russell mic-d up for dramatic Premiership final!
England began their summer tour with a historic win over Japan in their first-ever Test match played between the two sides.
Steve Borthwick's side claimed a 52-17 win over the hosts in Tokyo, despite Charlie Ewels becoming the first man to be sent off in two England Tests.
However, this did not detract from the focus of what was largely a fine afternoon's work in the Japanese capital where eight players ran over the try line.
Marcus Smith will emerge from this contest with plenty of credit after scoring 13 points, as England recovered brilliantly from an early setback which saw Seungsin Lee give the Brave Blossoms an early lead with a penalty.
Chandler Cunningham-South began the response on his first Test start by becoming the first player to cross over, then Smith followed suit, before setting up Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade to extend England's lead.
Alex Mitchell then got in on the act from close range, and then laid on an assist for Ben Earl at the end of a wonderfully-worked manoeuvre.
There was a slight blemish on an otherwise fine day's work for Smith, as he received a yellow card, but that did not stem England's flow.
Harry Randall was next to cross over, before Japan added some respectability to the scoreline thanks to tries from Koga Nezuka and Samisoni Tua respectively.
However, Sam Underhill ensured the visitors had the last word by becoming the eighth player to cross the line for Borthwick's side.
Ewels then took the gloss off the performance with his uncompromising and ill-judged challenge on the Japan skipper Michael Leitch.
Attention now turns to the first of two tantalising Tests against New Zealand, as England face the All Blacks in Dunedin on July 6.
England then conclude their summer series in Auckland against the same opposition a week later.
- - -
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement