Sports · Other Sports · 5 hrs ago
Itoje says England are ready for Japan’s unorthodox tactics
England captain Maro Itoje says his team is ready for Japan’s tactics in their Nations Championship match at Allianz Stadium.
Japan coach Eddie Jones, who coached Itoje at England, says his side will try to create “chaos” with unorthodox rugby.
Japan are seeking their first win in seven Tests against England, though Jones says they are major underdogs.
England come into the match after beating Australia 45-22, and Itoje says they must stay alert while imposing their own game.
The match is a chance for less established England players to press their World Cup claims, with head coach Steve Borthwick treating it as an audition.
Itoje says players should show their abilities while working within the team, rather than putting personal ambition first.
England captain Maro Itoje says his side are prepared for Japan’s unorthodox tactics in Saturday’s Nations Championship match.
Japan coach Eddie Jones has said he wants to create “chaos” and believes England do not react well to unorthodox rugby.
Itoje said England must stay alert and impose their own game against a team with a distinctive style.
England beat Australia 45-22 in their opening autumn Test.
- Who
- England, captained by Maro Itoje, and Japan, coached by Eddie Jones.
- What
- England are preparing to face Japan’s unorthodox tactics in a Nations Championship match.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not state the date of the match.
- Where
- Allianz Stadium.
- Why
- Jones says Japan will use unorthodox rugby to unsettle England, and Itoje says his team must stay alert and impose its own game.
England
Japan
Tactics
England
Itoje says England must stay alert to Japan’s distinctive and unorthodox play, while imposing their own game.
Japan
Jones is planning an afternoon of “chaos” and believes England do not react well to unorthodox rugby.
Jones gave Itoje his England debut when Jones was England head coach.
Itoje’s son Moses made his Twickenham debut.
England prepared for their second of four Tests that month, against Japan on Saturday.
- Previous meeting record
- Japan were underdogs to win for the first time in seven Tests between the sides.
- England’s opening autumn Test
- 45-22 win over Australia
- England squad
- 33 players
- World Cup places
- As many as 28 squad members had already been identified for the global showpiece.
2 sources
What people are saying
If we’re alive and we’ve got our house in order then we should be able to deal with what they throw at us.
Let’s not sleepwalk into things and think ‘most teams play like this’ because Japan aren’t most teams.
English don’t react well to unorthodox rugby