Who is the referee?
Nika Amashukeli will take charge of this game. The Georgian was in the headlines this summer after awarding one of the first red cards using the new off-field bunker, after Owen Farrell’s yellow card against Wales was upgraded to red.
In an exclusive interview with Telegraph Sport earlier this year talked about his experiences refereeing and being stabbed after a game.
How to watch on TV
ITV have exclusive broadcast rights to show the Rugby World Cup in the UK. We will update you with specific channels for each match at the tournament once they are announced by the broadcaster.
Radio commentary will be available only on the BBC, across Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sounds service. The BBC says there will be a “bespoke output” in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Amazon Prime will broadcast England’s first three World Cup warm-up games.
What is the recent history between the teams?
Although this will be the first World Cup match between England and Japan for 36 years, there have were Autumn Internationals fixtures in 2018 and 2022. England won on both occasions, 35-15 and 52-13 respectively.
What are England’s pool other matches?
- Saturday, Sept 9 – England v Argentina, Stade de Marseille, 8pm
- Saturday, Sept 23 – England v Chile, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm
- Saturday, Oct 7 – England v Samoa, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, 4.45pm
Who is in the England squad?
Farrell will miss England’s first two group stage games of the Rugby World Cup. The injured Jack van Poortvliet has also been ruled out of the 33-man squad selected earlier in August. Van Poortvliet has been replaced by Alex Mitchell.
You can read Will Greenwood’s verdict on the 33 men who have been selected.
Forwards: Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole, Tom Curry, Theo Dan, Ben Earl, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Joe Marler, George Martin, David Ribbans, Bevan Rodd, Kyle Sinckler, Will Stuart, Billy Vunipola, Jack Walker, Jack Willis.
Backs: Henry Arundell, Danny Care, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence, Max Malins, Joe Marchant, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward, Manu Tuilagi, Alex Mitchell, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs.
