The lucky English scored four tries against the clumsy Japanese

Steve Borthwick’s men made a trip to the aptly named Promenade des Anglais for nothing. On September 17, XV de la Rose left Nice with an emphatic victory (34-12) against Japan, with the offensive bonus point as a bonus.

With nine points, England lead Group D, before facing Chile and Samoa, two of the weakest teams in the group.

In this long, even game, the game was disrupted by several breakthroughs on both sides. The Japanese are brave, well-organized, but too clumsy to hope for the best. They would, at times, escape countless balls if they won the race.

As for the English, they have two penalties and four conversions (14 points) and a full match to thank for their teacher, George Ford. Its numerous candles soared so high in the Provençal sky that it allowed its team to often play in the Japanese camp.

Ford, the lucky Luke of sales

Having already scored three goals against Argentina on Saturday 9 September, Sale’s Lucky Luke did it again. Unlike in Marseille, this time all English supporters were able to enter the stadium in time for kick-off. The organizers of the World Cup managed to rectify the situation after the incidents seen at the entrance to the Vélodrome last week, which the British press made a big deal of.

Only George Ford owes England captain Owen Farrell’s suspension for the first two matches of the World Cup for dangerous play. But many British observers would like to see him extend his mid-season status as the XV à la Rose’s playmaker. In this case, a statue should be erected for him soon.

For the rest, the British provided a ridiculous copy. The disappointment mainly comes from their forwards who should clearly dominate the “cherry blossoms” (cherry blossoms, their mascot) in a weak Japanese pack. A week ago against Chile, the Japanese missed 28 tackles, a record. Can they compete with the talented players of Maro Idoje, Courtney Lawes and Billy Vunipola returning from suspension?

In the end, the Japanese pack was affected, but it did not fold. The rare mallets attempted by the Englishmen mostly failed and they had to rely on their opener’s initiation.

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