 A day which started with such disappointment for England at the Women's World Cup took time to improve in front of a sell-out crowd. Japan would later pay tribute to England's pressure game but for long periods they were clunky in a way they can't afford to be going forward. Team captain Owen Farrell, presented with a ceremonial Samurai Sword by the opposition at the final whistle, was nonetheless happier with England's improved cutting edge. Freddie Steward of England touches down for the first try ( Getty Images) 'It's not that we didn't make mistakes this week, we just reacted better,' he said. "We didn't worry too much, didn't think too much. Sometimes when you come together for the first game in a while you overthink things. We wanted to show the best of ourselve){kind=link}
England 52-13 Japan: Freddie Steward inspires Eddie Jones’ team to an improved performance a week on from shock Argentina loss and gives them belief they can challenge New Zealand
Eddie Jones told his England team the All Blacks are âthere for the taking’ after putting a half century of points on Japan.
A week after the shock home loss to Argentina, Twickenham witnessed a seven-try hammering of the Brave Blossoms.
A Freddie Steward-inspired England were far from perfect ahead of next Saturday’s eagerly awaited showdown with New Zealand. But Jones saw enough to convince him his side has the potential to repeat its epic World Cup semi-final victory in the fixture.
He said: “England have only won 19 per cent of Tests against New Zealand so there’s a narrative that says England can’t beat New Zealand.