England resume their World Cup marketing campaign once they face Japan of their second Pool D encounter at Stade de Nice on Sunday.
Here the PA information company examines 5 speaking factors heading into the showdown on the French Riviera.
No extra playing cards
England have amassed extra playing cards this yr than any crew ranked within the high 10, accumulating 5 yellows and 4 reds. It is a debilitating statistic and whereas Steve Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield are adamant that the crew should not have a self-discipline drawback, they know they cannot hold taking part in with 14 males – and even much less. The officiating of incidents involving head contact and their subsequent disciplinary hearings throughout this World Cup have been tormented by inconsistency, making avoiding harmful play extra vital than ever.
Sharpen the assault
England delivered a defensive masterclass to nullify clueless Argentina however there was no masking their attacking deficiencies. The most obtrusive second was the butchering of a transparent overlap that the identical gamers would end with ease for his or her golf equipment. If England are to advance deeper into the World Cup they have to present they’ve the capability to attain tries as drop objectives and penalties alone is not going to be enough to see off the large weapons.
Sinckler able to roll
An enormous second looms for Kyle Sinckler, who might be making his first World Cup look since he was knocked out within the closing towards South Africa 4 years in the past. Sinckler was within the type of his profession in Japan, his scrummaging, ball dealing with expertise and rampaging runs elevating him into the game’s elite band of tighthead props. The 30-year-old has didn’t rescale these heights since and now that he has recovered from a chest harm to take his place within the entrance row, he might be decided to invoke his 2019 kind.
Ford’s closing audition
A fudge beckons when Borthwick is confronted with one of many hardest choice selections of his younger reign. George Ford was excellent towards Argentina and is within the type of his life, however with Owen Farrell finishing a four-match suspension towards Japan the long-term pals are battling for a similar quantity 10 jersey. Borthwick will reveal his considering within the closing group fixture towards Samoa on October 7 when he’s anticipated to reunite the duo in a playmaking axis that served England properly in 2019, however earlier than then Ford has one final alternative to indicate why he must be entrusted to pilot the crew by himself.
Tika Taka Japan
Defence coach Sinfield has in contrast Japan’s ways to the ‘Tika Taka’ soccer performed by Barcelona and England are on guard for dynamic opponents who like to maneuver the ball and search for house over contact. They are usually not the pressure of 4 years in the past once they lit up their house World Cup by way of enterprise and braveness, however they’ve the capability to upset the favourites in the event that they hit their stride.
