Maro Itoje Warns England Against Complacency Ahead of Japan Test, Digi Mart USA News (Twickenham, London): England captain Maro Itoje has insisted his side will be prepared for any tactical surprises from Japan and their former head coach Eddie Jones, warning that the team cannot afford to sleepwalk into Saturday’s match at Twickenham.
Jones, England’s longest-serving head coach after his spell between 2015 and 2022, has strongly hinted that he will set his side up to unsettle his former charges, warning that they do not like unorthodox rugby. England are heavy favourites after last week’s record win over Australia and have never lost to Japan, though head coach Steve Borthwick has made ten personnel changes and two positional changes, fielding a largely inexperienced side.
Itoje said the overarching message for the week was that the team needed to remain alert. He noted that Japan play with a distinct style, consistently getting speed into the game, and could use a range of unusual approaches, including keeping the ball in play or unique set-piece plays.
He stressed that England should impose their own game, focusing on their own shape in attack and set-piece execution.
Itoje, who made his debut under Jones in 2016 and developed into one of the world’s leading second-rows during his tenure, said he expected the crowd to welcome Jones warmly. He recalled that Jones often introduced unusual tactics in training to keep players sharp.
Borthwick, who received his coaching break with Japan under Jones before becoming an England assistant, praised Jones for maximising the strengths of the teams he coaches and said players must stay mentally and emotionally alert, as any lapse in concentration could be punished by quality opposition.
