Japan vs England rugby match: how to watch it on TV and streaming – and at what time

Jones is taking charge of his first match since becoming Japan head coach - Getty Images/RICHARD A. BROOKS

The first match of England’s summer tour is against Japan. The fixture is effectively a warm-up match for the two-Test series against the All Blacks that follows later this year.

England have never lost to Japan and will be looking to avoid any slip-ups in Tokyo despite missing a large number of players through injury or unavailability.

The last time these two teams met was in the World Cup last year, when England ran out 34-12 winners.

The added spice for this encounter is the presence of Eddie Jones, the former England boss, as Japan’s head coach. Nevertheless, England will expect they can continue their perfect record against the Brave Blossoms, giving younger players an opportunity to gain valuable experience and confidence.

Where is Japan vs England?

The Lipovitan D Challenge Cup match (the official name of this fixture) will be held at the National Stadium in Tokyo, the former 2020 Olympic Stadium.

When is the match?

The game kicks off this Sunday (June 23) at 6.50am UK time, which is 2.50pm local time. A reverse fixture is due to be held at Twickenham Stadium on Sunday, November 24.

How do I watch Japan v England?

Controversially, the Japan v England match is not being shown on terrestrial television or on subscription television. Instead, the match will be streamed live on the RugbyPass website and app.

RugbyPass – which is subsidised by World Rugby – is free, but you will need to sign up on the RugbyPass TV website.

After signing up, if you plan to watch the game on a laptop or desktop computer you will be able to stream the action in your browser on the RugbyPass TV website.

Mobile viewers will be able to stream the game through the RugbyPass TV app, which is available on android and Apple devices.

You could also download the RugbyPass TV app onto your smart TV in order to stream the match into your front room.

The decision to broadcast the match on RugbyPass was described as “an exciting partnership with World Rugby to enable all fans in the UK to watch this historic match for free”, with younger audiences at the heart of the decision.

Former England prop Joe Marler labelled the move as “dross” with others criticising World Rugby for neglecting their more established audience.

What is the England team news?

Omission and unavailability dominate the narrative around the England squad for this summer’s campaign. The list of players unavailable for selection due to injury and departure from the country is staggering.

Vice-captain Ellis Genge misses out with a calf injury and first-choice fly-half George Ford has been ruled out with an Achilles injury. Adding to the list of players abroad, Owen Farrell, Manu Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler, and David Ribbans, have all joined clubs in the Top 14. Elliot Daly will stay home due to the birth of his child whilst Ollie Chessum undergoes rehab following surgery on his shoulder.

A long list of absentees does, however, offer opportunity to those ready to grasp it. With only two fly-halves selected in Borthwick’s squad both Marcus and Fin Smith will be given extensive responsibility to run England’s attack. George Ford’s absence will surely be felt having started all of England’s five Six Nations matches earlier this year. However, Marcus will be hoping to solidify his position as first choice, with his experience and flair likely to set him ahead of Fin for the summer series.

Northampton winger and Premiership top try-scorer Ollie Sleightholme, as well as Sale full back Joe Carpenter, are among six players selected who are yet to receive a cap for their country.

Saracens second-row Maro Itoje has been selected in the England squad despite technically only being permitted to play 102 minutes. An agreement between the Rugby Football Union, Premiership Rugby, and Rugby Players’ Association, limits players to 2,400 minutes a season or 30 full games. Nevertheless, Borthwick will rely on his “key leader” who will break this limit after an agreement to miss Saracens’ preseason games later in the summer.

What is the latest on Japan?

In an awkward reunion Japan head coach Eddie Jones will lead his first Test match in charge of the Brave Blossoms against his former team.

Sacked in December of 2022 after a dire Autumn Nations series, Jones was hired as the head coach of the Wallabies before his untimely departure last October. Making his return to Japan at the turn of the new year, Jones joined his third team in little over 12 months. This is unlikely to be a tearful reunion; Borthwick’s England will be looking to show how far they have come since getting rid of Jones.

Looking for a “new style of play that is adventurous, which suits Japanese instincts, that is attacking in its way”, Jones will look to dynamic youngsters and even university students like 20-year-old full-back Yoshitaka Yazaki. Expect a fast-paced, offload-heavy, and fearless Japanese attack.

Play The Telegraph’s brilliant range of Puzzles - and feel brighter every day. Train your brain and boost your mood with PlusWord, the Mini Crossword, the fearsome Killer Sudoku and even the classic Cryptic Crossword.