15) Freddie Steward Japan did their best to keep their kicks away from him but made his presence felt in second half and finished off with try his performance deserved. 7
14) Jonny May Didn’t touch the ball in the first half, though gave a needless penalty away, but more involved in second. Is in the side to chase kicks. 5
13) Joe Marchant Looked threatening when he touched the ball but he did so infrequently enough that you forgot he was playing before popping up with late try. 6
12) Manu Tuilagi Made a couple of dents as the first half wore on but always likely to be on the periphery when the ball is kicked to the skies so much. 5
11) Elliot Daly Jury still out on his ability as second playmaker. Sweeps round the back and crops up in nice positions but kicks the ball away far too often. 6
10) George Ford Charged down by Matsuda and passed to no one at one point. Kicked everything in the first half but brought much better variation as Japan began to tire. 7
9) Alex Mitchell Had all the time in the world to ignite attack at back of a driving maul and fluffed lines horribly. Better in second half when not kicking everything. 6
1) Joe Marler Key turnover near England’s line with Japan threatening and came up with headed assist for Lawes’ try. One of the better performers. 7
2) Jamie George Hit by the ball on the top of the head, and in the face after a rank pass from Earl, which summed up England’s clunkiness. Ran a fine lineout, though. 6
3) Kyle Sinckler Held his end up at the scrum on his return to the side and made a few robust carries, if not with the menace he did at the 2019 tournament. 6
4) Maro Itoje No complaints. A solid performance, nothing more. Held his own at the set piece and made his tackles. England will need more from him later in the tournament, though. 6
5) Ollie Chessum Made a thunderous double tackle with Ludlam and part of a lineout that functioned well. Maul threatened to get going at times too. 7
6) Courtney Lawes A nuisance at the lineout and had the wherewithal to make sure he dotted the ball down for what proved to be the crucial try. Defensively robust. 7
7) Ben Earl Threw ball into George’s face but that aside probably England’s best player. Dangerous with ball in hand whenever they could get him into space. 8
8) Lewis Ludlam Scored England’s first try of tournament after Japan butchered a lineout near their own line but not quite the all-action performance we have come to expect. 6
Replacements: Theo Dan 6, Ellis Genge 6, Will Stuart 5, George Martin 6, Billy Vunipola 6, Ben Youngs 6, Marcus Smith 7, Ollie Lawrence 6.
