Winning ugly, it is said, is a hallmark of great sides, but it can be an indicator of an average one, too. England have produced performances that only a mother could love in this tournament.
It may depend on how you view a Rorschach contest of a game and the merits of England’s kick pressure strategy. Take the positives, as England were understandably inclined to afterward beating Japan in the pool stage, and a bonus point win was job very much done. Japan are not the force of four years ago but produced a stern defensive showing for good periods of the fixture. Their trademark attacking invention tested England’s own ramparts, but these held firm – one try conceded in two games is an excellent return.
