Will Joseph delivered a historic performance, scoring a record-equalling five tries to lead England to a comprehensive victory over Japan. The Gloucester winger, making his Test comeback after a four-year absence, matched the legendary feats of Douglas Lambert, Rory Underwood, Josh Lewsey, and Henry Arundell. His explosive display, combining raw top-end speed with intelligent work-rate, dismantled the Japanese defense and secured a dominant win for the Three Lions.
Gloucester winger’s historic comeback performance sets up a massive clash with New Zealand.
The match statistics highlight the scale of England’s dominance, with Joseph’s five scores supplemented by tries from Steward, Genge, Murley, Earl, Martin, B. Curry, M. Smith, and Fisilau. Japan’s attack was effectively neutralized, with their only points coming from Ford’s four conversions and Slade’s penalty. This rout underscores England’s improved attacking cohesion and sets a high benchmark for their upcoming fixture against New Zealand next weekend.
Joseph’s return to the international stage is particularly poignant following a turbulent period that included the collapse of his boyhood club London Irish, a difficult spell at Harlequins, and the loss of hearing in his left ear due to an auto-immune reaction. Having debuted as a teenage late replacement against Australia four years ago, his superb early season form for Gloucester has thrust him back into the spotlight. This match serves as a definitive statement of his readiness, proving he possesses both the physical tools and the tactical intelligence to thrive at the highest level.
Source: BBC Sport
