History of rugby union matches between England and Japan

Last updated

In rugby union, England and Japan first met in September 1971, when they played a two-match series as part of a tour of the Far East; England did not award caps. England went on another uncapped tour in 1979. The two teams played in England for the first time in 1986, when England again did not award caps. The first capped match between the two nations was in the pool stage of the 1987 Rugby World Cup, when England won 60–7 at the Concord Oval in Sydney, Australia. Their next meeting came 31 years later, followed by four more meetings in three years between 2022 and 2024. England have won all six capped matches between the two sides, the most recent being a 59–14 win at Twickenham in November 2024.

Contents

Summary

Overview

DetailsPlayedWon by
England		Won by
Japan		DrawnEngland pointsJapan points
In England330014642
In Japan11005217
Neutral venue22009419
Overall660029278

Records

Note: Date shown in brackets indicates when the record was or last set.

RecordEnglandJapan
Longest winning streak6 games (30 May 1987 – present)—
Largest points for
Home59 (24 November 2024)17 (22 June 2024)
Away52 (22 June 2024)15 (17 November 2018)
Largest winning margin
Home45 (24 November 2024)—
Away35 (22 June 2024)—

Results

No.DateVenueScoreWinnerCompetitionRef.
130 May 1987 Concord Oval, Sydney 60–7Flag of England.svg  England 1987 Rugby World Cup pool stage
217 November 2018 Twickenham Stadium, London35–15Flag of England.svg  England 2018 Autumn Internationals [1]
312 November 2022 Twickenham Stadium, London52–13Flag of England.svg  England 2022 Autumn Internationals [2]
418 September 2023 Allianz Riviera, Nice 34–12Flag of England.svg  England 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage [3]
522 June 2024 Japan National Stadium, Tokyo17–52Flag of England.svg  England 2024 England tour [4]
624 November 2024Twickenham Stadium, London59–14Flag of England.svg  England 2024 Autumn Internationals [5]

XV results

Below is a list of matches that Japan has awarded test match status by virtue of awarding caps, but England did not award caps.

DateVenueScoreWinnerCompetition
24 September 1971 Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka 19–27Flag of England.svg  England XV 1971 England tour
28 September 1971 Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, Tokyo3–6Flag of England.svg  England XV
13 May 1979 Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiōsaka 19–21Flag of England.svg  England XV 1979 England tour
20 May 1979 National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo18–38Flag of England.svg  England XV
11 October 1986 Twickenham Stadium, London39–12Flag of England.svg  England XV 1986 Japan tour

References

  1. ↑ Fordyce, Tom (17 November 2018). "England 35-15 Japan: Eddie Jones' side hold off spirited visitors". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  2. ↑ Henson, Mike (12 November 2022). "England 52-13 Japan: Hosts score seven tries to win with ease". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  3. ↑ Henson, Mike (17 September 2023). "England 34-12 Japan: England run in four tries to beat Brave Blossoms". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  4. ↑ Mann, Mantej (22 June 2024). "Smith stars as England cruise past Japan in Tokyo". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 February 2025.
  5. ↑ Telfer, Alastair (24 November 2024). "England hammer Japan to finish autumn on a high". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
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