England v Japan Prediction, Preview & Odds – 2023 Rugby World Cup

We have an England v Japan prediction for you plus all the betting odds ahead of this 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Sunday.

England v Japan Match Info

When? 8.00 pm, Sunday, September 17^th

Where? Allianz Riviera, Nice

TV Channel? ITV 1/ Virgin Media One

England v Japan Odds – Pool D

The odds makers England 1/25 favourites. Japan are the 10/1 underdogs heading into this game while the draw is 80/1.

Handicap Betting

Our odds makers have England as -21 favourites in the handicap betting at odds of 10/11. Japan as a result are +21-point underdogs while the handicap draw (England winning by exactly 21 points) can be had at odds of 18/1.

England v Japan Preview

England’s Form

This England team are the number 6 ranked side in world rugby.

They entered this tournament in poor form and it would be a shock if they were able to go all the way in this tournament. The English finished 4th in the most recent Six Nations with only two wins to go with three defeats. That extended their poor run of form in the competition, since their 2020 success they’ve come fifth in 2021 and third in 2022.

Steve Borthwick has only been Head Coach since it was announced on the 19th of December that he would be replacing Eddie Jones at the helm.

In the first of their World Cup warm-ups they suffered a disappointing 20-9 defeat against an out-of-form Wales. However, England avenged that loss a week later by claiming a narrow 19-17 home victory.

England followed that win up with two more losses, the first being 29-10 against Ireland and most shockingly a 22-30 defeat to Fiji in Twickenham.

Despite that dismal run of form Borthwick’s side opened their account in Pool D with a 27-10 victory over an Argentina side that many had picked to top them in this pool. That result puts them in pole position to win the pool after a flying George Ford put in a fine display with twenty-seven points.

Our England World Cup Group post can be found here

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Japan’s Form

World Number 14 ranked Japan will be hoping for a similar tournament performance to 2019 where they made a run to the quarter-final. In that campaign they won four out of four matches in Pool A against Ireland, Scotland, Samoa and Russia before coming unstuck against eventual champions South Africa.

Despite their 2019 heroics, Japan are not in great form in 2023 and will need to reverse their fortunes fast if they’re to qualify out of this pool.

Jamie Joseph has been in charge of Japan since 2016 but recently announced his intention to step down as Japan’s Head coach following this World Cup.

The Japanese started their season with a 22-24 defeat against Samoa but bounced back with a 21-16 victory against Tonga. Their remaining two warm-up fixtures resulted in a 12-35 defeat against Fiji and a 42-21 loss to Italy.

This Japan outfit got off to a flying start with a convincing 42-12 win against Rugby World Cup debutants Chile. They will be full aware that this match against England will be a step up in class however.

Team News

Owen Farrell will sit out this one again following his two-match suspension. He will be available for selection in England’s third pool-stage game against Chile.

Key Players To Watch

George Ford

With all the talk and attention around the suspended Owen Farrell, Sale Sharks man George Ford came in at fly-half in a huge pressure game for an out-of-form England as they commenced their Rugby World Cup campaign.

What ensued was a magnificent kicking display where Ford converted 6/6 Penalties and 3/3 Drop Goal attempts as he scored all of England’s 27 points on the night.

The boy Ford has his eye in. He connects again from distance. It's England by six.#RWC2023 #ENGARG

📺 Watch Live: https://t.co/JJS4iHgj5w
📱 Live Updates: https://t.co/zPlKJcuPFQ pic.twitter.com/epx5fgHvU2

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 9, 2023

Rikiya Matsuda

Another fly-half who had an excellent display during the opening weekend of the tournament. Matsuda hit 6/6 conversions in their 42-12 victory over Chile. The 29-year-old has 83 points in his 33 caps for Japan and the Japanese will be hoping for another big performance from him this Sunday against England.

England v Japan Rugby History

England and Japan have faced off eight times in test match rugby union. England have won all eight encounters with their biggest victory a 60-7 win which came in the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

Here are the results from the last five test matches between England and Japan:

2022: Autumn Nations Series – England 52-13 Japan

2018: Men’s Internationals – England 35-15 Japan.

1987: Rugby World Cup– England 60-7 Japan.

1986: Japan Tour of England & Scotland – England 39-12 Japan.

1979: Japan Tour of England & Scotland – Japan 18-38 England.

England v Japan Prediction & Best Bet

Prediction: England 25-7 Japan

George Ford was superb in their opening game of the tournament to guide them past a widely fancied Argentinian side.

Japan shouldn’t be pushovers but I’m expecting another excellent display by George Ford here to power England to a second win while Japan keep the score within the handicap.

Best Bet: First-Half Winning Margin England 1-7 points @ 11/4

Click Below For All Our England v Japan Betting Odds

*Prices subject to fluctuation

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