England rout Japan to snap five-game winless run

England ended their five-game winless run with a thumping 59-14 win over Japan at Twickenham.

Steve Borthwick's side came into the Autumn Nations Series with high hopes, but lost their opening three games against New Zealand, Australia and then South Africa.

Few expected Eddie Jones' Japan to cause any real problems, but the manner in which they dismantled the Brave Blossoms will have restored some of the optimism.

The nine tries were split between seven players, with both Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie bagging doubles, while Marcus Smith slotted seven conversions in another assured showing off the tee.

Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Tom Roebuck got the other tries as England finally turned in something resembling an 80-minute performance.

A vastly inexperienced Japan side was still able to exploit the English defence and score twice themselves but the result was never in doubt.

Tougher tests await in the Six Nations but at least Borthwick's side will be coming in off a win.

They face Ireland in Dublin on the first weekend of the 2025 Six Nations in what is sure to be a thriller.