CHRIS FOY: England can arrive into New Zealand tour without trepidation as they carry in momentum and hope following their dominant win over Japan England demolished Japan 52-17 ahead of their Test against New Zealand Marcus Smith produced an excellent performance during the comfortable win Borthwick's side have momentum and hope against a New Zealand in transition By Chris Foy Published: 08:25 EDT, 23 June 2024 | Updated: 08:25 EDT, 23 June 2024 e-mail View comments England will head to rugby’s final frontier to confront the All Blacks armed with myriad benefits from a compelling warm-up – a hybrid asset, a new sensation and a clinical streak in attack. Japan couldn’t with-stand the onslaught after a bright start and the visitors finished up with eight tries as proof that the creative advance made at the end of the Six Nations was no flash in the pan. They also finished with Ben Earl operating in midfield, which was a highly significant development in the quest for extra dimensions.
The versatile Saracen made his name as an openside, before seizing possession of the England No 8 shirt since last summer and now showing that he has the pace and dexterity to do a passable impression of an inside centre. As Steve Borthwick seeks to add layers to the national team’s expanding repertoire, the sight of Earl thriving in the back line was a positive step along the way. England go into their Test with New Zealand on the back of a comfortable win over Japan The sight of Ben Ear.
