Maro Itoje warns England not to sleepwalk into clash with Eddie Jones’s Japan

‘Japan have a distinct way of playing,’ says captain Steve Borthwick hails ‘weird and wonderful’ Jones Maro Itoje has insisted England will be ready for any curveballs Eddie Jones may throw on Saturday, warning his side they cannot “sleepwalk” into battle against Japan. Jones, England’s longest-serving head coach after his stint between 2015 and 2022, has strongly hinted he will set his side up to unsettle his former charges at Twickenham, warning that they do not like “unorthodox” rugby. The hosts are heavy favourites to back up last week’s record win over Australia with another emphatic victory and have never lost to Japan but Steve Borthwick has made 10 personnel and two positional changes, fielding an inexperienced side against that of his predecessor. Continue reading...