England boss Steve Borthwick makes complaint after history made in Japan summer tour win
England scored eight tries as they beat Japan 52-17 in their summer tour opener
GETTY
England boss Steve Borthwick has complained about his side's lack of discipline after their 52-17 summer tour win over Japan on Saturday morning.
The Red Roses impressed with the ball in hand, with Michael Smith, Chandler Cunningham-Smith, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Harry Randall and Sam Underhill all scoring tries.
However, while England were impressive with their attacking, defending was plagued by ill-discipline.
History was made when Charlie Ewels was sent off, with the 28-year-old becoming the first Englishman ever to be dismissed twice in Test rugby, while Smith was sent to the sin-bin.
England scored eight tries as they beat Japan 52-17 in their summer tour opener
GETTY
Ewels is now set for a ban that could rule him out of next month's two-Test series in New Zealand.
And Borthwick, speaking after his side's conceded 17 penalties in their win, how criticised his side's lack of discipline and called for them to improve that area of their game.
“The performance level will need to rise when we face New Zealand in two weeks’ time,” said the England boss.
“The discipline ... you can’t give that number of penalties away, we know that.
JUST IN:England could be about to release major statement ahead of Slovenia Euro 2024 clash
“You also can’t give New Zealand the space we gave Japan today but I expect our performance to go up a level.
"The team has had one session in England before we flew and, after getting over the jet lag, we’ve had one proper session in Japan since we arrived.
"To produce that [display] off a couple of sessions together has been very impressive from the players’ point of view but we will need to go up several levels – and I expect us to do so – when we face New Zealand.”
England were beating a Japan side coached by Eddie Jones.
Yet Jones felt Ewels was unfortunate to be sent off, admitting there was 'no intent' in his challenge.
“We know Charlie plays with the right spirit. It looks like he lost his balance," he said.
"A guy like him doesn’t try to injure players. There was no intent.”
England star Jamie George, meanwhile, was happy with his side's victory and the way they performed.
“It was a really tough game," he said.
"The conditions were very difficult. I’m very proud with the way we went about our business.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
England boss Steve Borthwick wants his side to improve their discipline following their win over Japan
GETTY
“It was always going to be very difficult to come over here and get the result, but we’re very happy with that.
“It took us a little while to get used to the conditions but off the back of that we were really efficient with the ball and moved the ball into space.
“We’ve got some really talented backs with a lot of speed and we managed to show that.”
On Japan, he added: “Japan are a fantastic team.
"We knew they would be well drilled and we obviously know Eddie very well.
England boss Steve Borthwick masterminded his side's emphatic summer tour win over Japan on Saturday
GETTY
"We couldn’t have more respect for him as a person and a coach.
“Japan played with very high tempo and I think they will be very successful over the next few years.”
You may like
