In the fifth round of the Rugby Nations Championship, Japan suffered a heavy 15-78 defeat to England, setting a new record for points conceded against England. The match was played at Twickenham in England, and Japan is expected to face Scotland in Edinburgh, England, in its next match. With less than 11 months until the World Cup opener, Japan will be forced to make adjustments.
World No. 12 Japan faced fifth-ranked England and suffered a heavy defeat, with Japan scoring 15 points and England 78. Japan conceded 8 tries in the first half and 5 in the second, 13 in total, and went into halftime trailing 10-49.
Japan conceded points within the first minute after a counterattack following Naoto Saito (斎藤直人)'s high punt. England's Hockings received a yellow card for a dangerous tackle, which was later upgraded to a red card, leaving England a player down and making for a difficult start. England continued to control the momentum, and Japan conceded 8 tries in the first half alone.
Japan had faced England 13 times previously, and this defeat left the head-to-head record heavily lopsided. England, the opposing kingdom, ranks among the top sides, leaving Japan with a concern ahead of the World Cup, whose opening match is less than 11 months away.
Following this match, Japan is scheduled to face Scotland in Edinburgh, England, in the final round on the 21st, and is required to make adjustments ahead of the World Cup in Australia.