Will Joseph made a stunning impact in only his second appearance for England, scoring five tries in a commanding 78-15 victory over Japan at Twickenham on Saturday. This performance not only secured England a record win in the Nations Championship but also saw Joseph equal the record for the most tries in a single match, previously set by Rory Underwood in 1989.
Joseph’s scoring spree began just 65 seconds into the match, showcasing his explosive return to international rugby after more than four years since his debut. He added three more tries within the first 25 minutes, demonstrating his exceptional finishing ability. His fifth try came after the interval, when he intercepted a pass, further solidifying his place in the record books alongside Josh Lewsey and Henry Arundell, who also achieved the feat in recent years.
England’s Dominance
England’s performance was marked by a total of 13 tries, with contributions from Freddie Steward, Ellis Genge, Cadan Murley, and Ben Earl in the first half. George Martin, Ben Curry, Marcus Smith, and Greg Fisilau added to the tally after halftime. George Ford was instrumental in the kicking department, converting three tries and adding a penalty, while Henry Slade contributed with two conversions.
Japan managed to score two tries through Warner Dearns and Helu Opeti, with Naoto Saito converting one and adding a penalty. However, Japan’s efforts were hampered by a red card issued to lock Harry Hockings for an illegal tackle, which significantly shifted the momentum in England’s favor.
Coaching Perspectives
Japan’s coach, Eddie Jones, who previously led England for seven years, had aimed to disrupt England’s game plan but found his strategy dismantled early on. “I loved every minute of that and a joy to be part of. It was a pretty perfect day,” Joseph reflected on the match, highlighting the team’s cohesive performance.
England’s head coach, Steve Borthwick, praised the team’s execution, stating, “There were a lot of things to be pleased about, with wonderful tries from various sources.” This victory places England in a strong position in the Northern Hemisphere standings, showcasing their potential as they continue in the Nations Championship.
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