Overview
- England overwhelmed Japan 78-15 at Twickenham on Saturday as winger Will Joseph scored a record-equalling five tries to mark his return to the side.
- Japan were reduced to 14 men early when Harry Hockings received a yellow card that match officials upgraded to a 20-minute red, leaving the visitors a man short during England’s early scoring surge.
- Wales produced a 35-28 upset of New Zealand in Cardiff on Saturday, the first Welsh win over the All Blacks since 1953, with Wales outscoring New Zealand five tries to four and holding out late pressure.
- The results have immediate tournament impact with England improving to 4-1 and Japan falling to 1-4, while Wales’ victory reshuffles the southern-hemisphere table and affects which teams move toward the late-November finals weekend in London.
- Attention now turns to selection and tactics for next Saturday’s England v New Zealand Test at Twickenham on November 21, with Steve Borthwick weighing picks after Joseph’s performance and Eddie Jones warning of a physical All Blacks response.