Steve Borthwick must look to up the offloads in England's clash with Japan

Yesterday at 08:00 AM

Head coach locks horns with predecessor Eddie Jones as his side seek their first win of the Autumn Nations Series

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 have both topped 40 points against them, a reshuffled France side rattled up 52 points 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.