Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

England set for two-match 2020 tour to Japan?

England's Henry Slade and Japan's William Tupou chase the ball at Twickenham in 2018. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / Getty Images)

Regardless of what happens this weekend, England will be spending at least the next two weeks in Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT

A victory against New Zealand would see them playing in the final at Yokohama next Saturday. A loss would see them consigned to the 3rd/4th playoff in Tokyo a day earlier.

One way or another, the English side will have spent almost two months in Japan by the time the tournament comes to a close – but it sounds like they’re not sick of the country yet.

There has been no official word on the topic, but it appears that England will be returning to Japan next July to play a two-match series against the Brave Blossoms.

England Rugby Travel, the official travel agents for the RFU, have already commenced promoting the tour on their website.

Video Spacer

The two-match series will double the total number of fixtures that have taken part between the two sides to date.

In the 1987 World Cup, England cruised to a 60-7 victory over Japan in Sydney.

It took over 20 years for the nations to clash once again, with England hosting the Brave Blossoms at Twickenham and recording a 35-15 win.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://www.instagram.com/p/B34U-01gFt-/

England’s schedule for the 2020 calendar year has now been all but confirmed.

The Six Nations will take place from early February to mid-March. England’s somewhat favourable schedule sees them play away games against Scotland, France and Italy whilst playing at home against Ireland and Wales.

In July, the Red Roses will travel to Japan but will likely have one more game added to the agenda – whether that’s in Japan or elsewhere is unknown. New Zealand and Australia both already have full schedules for the mid-year tests.

Finally, England will play host in November to New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and the Barbarians, with one further match to be confirmed against a tier-two nation.

ADVERTISEMENT

South Africa are the only tier-one side that England aren’t yet confirmed to be playing in 2020 but fans around the world would no doubt like to see England square off against a Pacific Island side too.

Whatever teams are yet to be confirmed, England’s coaching team will be preparing for a mammoth season next year.

Perhaps England are returning to Japan in 2020 so that they can check out some more of the local attractions?:

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 15 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

41 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
Search