![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/england-v-japan-live-score-and-latest-updates-from-autumn-internationals-2022-at-twickenham/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/TELEMMGLPICT000315951143_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqRo0U4xU-30oDveS4pXV-Vv4Xpit_DMGvdp2n7FDd82k.jpeg&description=Defeat for Eddie Jones' side today is unthinkable. Less than a year out from the World Cup, back-to-back defeats at home to Argentina and the Brave Blossoms would say so much more than simply 'England don't look good bets to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in 11 months' time'. It would ask huge questions of the coach who accepted the blame for the 30-29 defeat to the Pumas last Sunday. It would also, once again, ask questions about the make-up of the side and the Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell partnership at 10 and 12 in particular. Those are just two reasons why this match – and let's face it England v Japan at Twickenham has never been viewed as a BIG clash – is such an important one and one that could have huge significance, not least because the hosts then have to face New Zealand and South Africa in the next two weeks. England's loss to Argentina did illustrate a couple of things – one, that all is still not as one would hope less than a year out from the World Cup for England, and two, in mitigation, that no-one should take the Pumas likely. So what to expect today? Well, despite Sunday's defeat very few expect lightning to strike twice – an England win is by far the most likely outcome. But it's the manner of the expected win that will be examined. Can the hosts play with flair with the ball in hand? Too often England look lost for ideas when given an attacking platform, hence the scrutiny over the Smith-Farrell axis. That's something not lost on Farrell, who said this week: "It's finishing those chances off that was the work-on. Being a bit calmer after we do make the breaks and seeing where the opportunity is thereafter. It's not like we didn't create opportunities [against Argentina] in the conditions that we played in, but obviously we weren't good enough to finish them off. The changes hopefully don't make a difference to where we're going with that. Hopefully they add to that, which is the key.' Can England remind everyone why they should be considered contenders fo){kind=link}
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Japan starting XV: Yamanaka, Matushima, Riley, Nakamura, Van den Heever, Yamasawa, Nagare, Inagaki, Sakate, Koo, Dearns, Cornelsen, Leitch, Himeno, Tatatfu
Replacements: Horikoshi, Millar, Kizu, Van der Walt, Labuschagne, Saito, Lee Fafita
England starting XV: F Steward (Leicester); J Nowell (Exeter), G Porter (Leicester), O Farrell (Leicester), J May (Gloucester); M Smith (Harlequins), J van Poortvliet (Leicester); E Genge (Bristol), L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), K Sinckler (Bristol), D Ribbans (Northampton), J Hill (Sale), M Itoje (Saracens), T Curry (Sale), S Simmonds (Exeter).
Replacements: J George (Saracens), M Vunipola (Saracens), J Heyes (Leicester), A Coles (Northampton), B Vunipola (Saracens), B Youngs (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), M Tuilagi (Sale)