Japan vs England LIVE rugby: Latest score and updates from Tokyo

It took time for England to warm to their work but they’ll be very pleased with how that second quarter panned out, showing off their attacking game and defensive ferocity to take control in Tokyo. Japan began brightly, playing with speed and intelligence as their visitors battled for discipline, but a couple of early missed chances allowed England in. Tries for Chandler Cunningham-South, Marcus Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Henry Slade – and the prospect of more to come after the interval.

And England go down the tunnel with a try!

Eddie Jones will be furious – a horrible way for Japan to finish the half. They twice infringe as England work the phases, affording conjuror Marcus Smith the chance to reach into his bag of tricks. The fly half switches direction and waves his wand of a right boot through the back of the ball, sending it drifting delightfully out towards Henry Slade. Tomoki Osada scrambles across but is unable to touch the leaping centre, and a safe landing and grounding extend England’s half-time advantage.

The hooter sounds as Japan throw the lineout, but England are the ones who will get another chance. Their blitz defence works superbly as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso fires up into the passing lane to intercept.

More good defensive work from Japan. Tomoki Osada soaks up Ollie Lawrrence’s size and allows Jone Naikabula to latch over the top, winning a jackal penalty.

Chandler Cunningham-South’s legs are excavated at the lineout, allowing England the chance to poke again into the corner. But Japan re-steel themselves and time a counter shove brilliantly to win back possession on the floor after England had driven to within a metre or two.

Tommy Freeman’s development over the last 12 months has been quite remarkable to watch. The Northampton wing was briefly in camp with England ahead of the World Cup but cut long before the tournament, yet now is just about the most complete back in the country. He produces another crunching hit on kick chase to earn a penalty – a reminder that he is England’s cover at outside centre today, and can also play full-back at a high level. That versatility is such a valuable commodity and Freeman has the full skillset to be an international star.

Malfunction at the junction as Henry Slade whips a pass in the direction of Tommy Freeman on the extreme left but fails to account for the arrival of Ollie Lawrence into the space between them. Lawrence, to be fair to him, almost gathers it anyway, but the ball does eventually hit the floor. Raised hands of apology all around.

Another scrum penalty England’s way, with their front row starting to get the edge on that front. Dan Cole takes the back slaps, the 37-year-old tighthead surely on his final overseas excursion with this squad but still a vital cornerstone at the set piece.

A frisson of excitement around the Japan National Stadium as the hosts go over on the right, but Koga Nekuza is deemed to have spilled forward in contact in the build-up.