Rugby World Cup 2023 – The England barometer – Japan: Courtney Lawes, the fighter, Semisi Masirewa the nightmare

The tops

Courtney Lawes

The Northampton player appreciates this type of meeting and it showed. Very present in the fight, he came out at the hour mark marked by the fight. He led by example throughout his time on the field. Rewarded with a cap try following a header from Marler.

Patches of Labuschagne

The third line did obscure but valuable work. Throughout the match, he deployed himself across the entire front of the attack to try to stop the rare English breakthroughs. A very complete first half, he tackles then breaks through the open field a quarter of an hour into the game. Less visible in the second half, he remained valuable in the close fight.

George Ford

Good and bad for George Ford who did not shine as much as against Argentina. Countless numbers of balloons have passed through him and in the end his results show little waste. Precise kicks that weighed and 47 meters gained with precious ball in hand.

Les flops

James Masirewa

The full-back certainly experienced the worst seven minutes of his rugby life. On a harmless kick from George Ford which ends in the Japanese goal, the Japanese full-back misses on his own and drops the ball. His blunder will result in England’s first three points. Four minutes later, the Japanese full-back touched his second ball, he cleared his foot and was injured. He is replaced by Lomano Lemeki, author of a good first half.

Shota Horie

The hooker was the symbol of the Japanese difficulties on the sidelines. He misses several important touches in the English camp and even makes a resounding double missed touch then forward (18th). He was barely visible in the game. Rarely present in the meeting points, he suffered.

Ben Earl

The English flanker was far from the level of his teammates Lawes. Often lost on the field, he accumulated an impressive number of fouls, even throwing the ball into the head of Jamie George after a touch a few meters from the Japanese line. He causes a penalty in the 22nd and escapes a good attacking ball in the 58th. Present in defense.