LET OFF
England 35 Japan 15: Red Rose fight back but leave Twickenham totally humiliated after pre-match jibes
The visitors went into half-time 15-10 up, before Mark Wilson, Joe Cokanasiga and Dylan Hartley scored in the fightback
ENGLAND were humiliated by Japan in a first-half masterclass as mouthy Eddie Jones had his pre-match jibes rammed down his throat.
The Red Rose boss gave it the big ones as he trolled the Brave Blossoms by telling them to go to the temple and PRAY before heading to Twickenham.
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But it was his awful England side who were looking for a miracle after 40 minutes as they were battered by the magicians and their world-class captain Michael Leitch.
Asked if he had any advice for Japan last week, cocky Jones said: “Pray, pray, pray. Go to the temple and pray. We’re going to be absolutely ruthless.
“If I was Japan I would be worried. We want to smash them, physically smash them, because I know they’re going to come full of confidence.
"I’ve heard some of the things they’ve said, they’ve been a bit cheeky, so look out.”
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Not looking so clever now, mate, even if England powered home in the second half with 25 unanswered points.
Jones' jokers crashed to go in 15-10 behind at the break as they threw away a 7-0 lead after just three minutes thanks to Danny Care's converted try.
Japan were full of tricks.
And they really dished it out against their old gaffer, who produced the biggest result in their history with 2015's shock World Cup win against South Africa.
Winger Kenki Fukuoka was putting in at the scrum, there were million-dollar passes through the legs as well as quick line-outs that had these dozy England dunces completely dumbfounded.
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Fans didn't know whether to laugh or cry as Japan took it to England.
Most ended up laughing at the absolute state of a side who last week somehow almost beat the best team on the planet.
Clawing their way back Japan Fly-half Yu Tamura knocked over a 42m penalty as England went on one of their trademark penalty giveaway blitzes.
And with Jamie George in the bin, the hosts scrambled back during another counter-attack as the tidal waves kept rolling in.
After heavy pressure in the 22 Ryoto Nakamura ran over George Ford for his try under the posts and there was no way Tamura would miss with the extras.
England were panicking and needed Elliot Daly to unleash his cannon of a left-boot from the half-way line to level.
But that only fired-up the Brave Blossoms more.
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Inspirational flanker and danger-man Leitch took matters into his own hands and steamrollered over Care before beating Harry Williams, Dylan Hartley and Daly to score a superb individual try.
Jones was praying now - and threw on Owen Farrell at half time to get a grip on this game.
England started to wise-up and Ford's early penalty was backed-up by Mark Wilson's try, and sandwiched by another three-pointer from the fly-half on his 50th cap.
England were finally ahead, but still looking vulnerable as Jamie Joseph's fighters put them back in their box.
Joe Cokanasiga showed his power and pace with a try on his debut to dampen the storm as he combined with George as they swarmed on Richard Wigglesworth's box kick.
On his 96th cap Dylan Hartley plonked down for just his fourth Test try and second in as many games to finish it off.
A huge sigh of relief, but a major warning and scare that England only just managed to overcome.
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Rugby’s Jonny Wilkinson joins in England training as side prepares to take on Japan
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