Much has happened since England and Eddie Jones last crossed samurai swords in a sweltering Tokyo at the end of June. England have not had another Test match victory in the intervening 155 days and red rose morale has taken a series of hits. Five consecutive losses is in danger of prompting confidence and momentum to drift away among players and fans alike.
Japan, coincidentally, have also endured a lean spell since conceding 52 points to England. Italy and Fiji topped 40 points against them, a reshuffled France side rattled up 52 and New Zealand scored 64 in Yokohama. Last week’s 36-20 win over Uruguay delivered some respite, but Jones’s second coming as Japanese head coach is proving a slow burn.
