England delivered a dominant performance at Twickenham on Saturday, securing a comprehensive 78-15 victory over Japan. The match was highlighted by a spectacular individual display from Will Joseph, who marked his return to the international stage with five tries. Highlights: Joseph scores five tries as England enjoy huge win against Japan. Jones sat stony-faced in the coaching box as the message appeared again in the midst of his team’s 78-15 thrashing at England’s hands on Saturday. And England brought plenty of entertainment to the party. I have had a taste for it now and I can’t wait to do it again.
For Japan head coach Eddie Jones, the afternoon was far from enjoyable.
Returning to the venue where he previously served as England head coach for seven years, Jones spent much of the match sitting stony-faced in the coaching box.
During the week, Jones had publicly criticized Twickenham’s in-stadium experience, specifically objecting to screen prompts that instruct spectators when to cheer. He expressed that being told when to make noise felt unnatural for fans.
Despite the one-sided nature of the scoreline, the atmosphere inside the stadium felt distinct. Thanks to a promotion offering junior tickets for just £15, the crowd was noticeably younger and more vibrant, contributing to a lighter energy throughout the arena. England rewarded the capacity crowd with an entertaining display, crossing the try line 13 times in total. There was a different atmosphere from usual, with junior tickets on sale at £15. The demographic was younger, the spirits a little lighter, the decibels were higher.
For 24-year-old Will Joseph, the game represented a long-awaited career milestone. His previous and only international cap came in 2022, when he was brought in as a last-minute replacement during a tour of Australia. Since then, his path to the national team was hindered by his club’s bankruptcy and significant personal challenges, including an auto-immune condition that led to hearing loss in his left ear. He was a teenage apprentice taken on tour to Australia and thrust into the second Test as a last-minute replacement, back in the summer of 2022.
Joseph’s resurgence at Gloucester this season—where he has proven to be a versatile and elusive threat—earned him his recall. Positioned out wide to replace the injured Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Joseph demonstrated remarkable pace and power, mirroring the explosive style of his predecessor. Former England wing Chris Ashton praised Joseph on Radio 5 Live, noting that his deceptive speed consistently allows him to evade defenders.
Joseph opened the scoring just 60 seconds into the match and completed his hat-trick by the 19th minute. His exuberance was evident throughout, particularly when he celebrated his fourth try with a cartwheel. By the final whistle, the Japan defense had been thoroughly outpaced, with players like Kazuma Ueda struggling to contain the winger’s explosive runs.
Reflecting on his journey, Joseph described the last four years as challenging but rewarding. He expressed deep satisfaction that his hard work has finally paid off and signaled his eagerness to maintain his place in the squad for future fixtures. While the team celebrated a massive victory, Joseph joked that he was running out of energy by the time he scored his fifth, but overall, the performance marked a resounding success for both him and the squad.
