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
All Blacks curtain raiser
Your England team to face @JRFURugby ?
Steve Borthwick has named his 23-man squad for Saturday’s Test match in Tokyo.
Sign up now to watch the match live and for free on @RugbyPass TV ?#JPNvENG | #WearTheRose | @O2
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) June 18, 2024
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
Under reconstruction
How will Eddie Jones cope when his Japan side faces England on Saturday?
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Kicks off Saturday 22nd June, 06:50AM BST
— World Rugby (@WorldRugby) June 19, 2024
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.
