The international rugby season is set to commence this summer as England prepares to take on Japan in a highly anticipated match in Tokyo, marking a reunion with their former head coach, Eddie Jones. Jones, who is widely regarded as the most successful coach in England’s history, enjoyed a remarkable tenure with the team from 2016 to 2022, securing numerous Six Nations titles, achieving a world-record winning streak, and guiding the team to the 2019 World Cup final.
Following a brief and disappointing coaching stint with Australia, Jones has returned to Japan and is poised to face his former team. Conversely, England has appointed Jones’ former forwards coach, Steve Borthwick, who has overseen a significant revamp of the squad and is introducing a crop of promising young players to the team. With a history of third-placed finishes in recent international tournaments, the impending match between these two teams holds the promise of an enthralling contest.
The rugby fixture between Japan and England is scheduled to take place at the Japan National Stadium in Tokyo on Saturday, June 22, commencing at 2:50 p.m. local time (JST). For viewers in the UK, the match will start at 6:50 a.m. BST, while for those in the USA, it will begin at 1:50 a.m. ET.
Regrettably, this match will not be televised on terrestrial, cable, or subscription TV in major rugby-viewing regions. Instead, it will be exclusively live-streamed and available for catch-up viewing on RugbyPass TV, the new streaming service partner of World Rugby. Fans can access the match at no cost by signing up for an account on the RugbyPass platform.
Concerning the team lineups, Jones’ Japan squad comprises a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, led by team captain Michael Latch. Conversely, Borthwick has assembled a robust England side featuring an array of experienced players, with just four alterations from their previous match.
Regarding the outcome, Jones’ Japan team enters the match as somewhat of an unknown quantity and could potentially spring a surprise on England. Nevertheless, with their superior lineup and wealth of experience, England is widely expected to emerge victorious by a margin of at least 15 points.
Therefore, for rugby enthusiasts across the globe, the clash between Japan and England promises to ignite an exhilarating summer of international rugby. Thanks to the services offered by RugbyPass TV, fans can witness all the action unfold live from Tokyo and witness two formidable teams go head-to-head in what is anticipated to be a captivating encounter.