Maro Itoje warns England not to sleepwalk into clash with Eddie Jones’s Japan

Maro Itoje has insisted England will be ready for any curveballs Eddie Jones may throw on Saturday, warning his side they cannot 'sleepwalk' into battle against Japan. Jones, England's longest-serving head coach after his stint between 2015 and 2022, has strongly hinted he will set his side up to unsettle his former charges at Twickenham.

The hosts are heavy favourites to back up last week's record win over Australia with another emphatic victory and have never lost to Japan but Steve Borthwick has made 10 personnel and two positional changes, fielding an inexperienced side against that of his predecessor.

Jones's tactics

Jones has warned that England do not like 'unorthodox' rugby and has hinted at special strategies for this match. The Australian gave Itoje his debut in 2016 and oversaw his development into one of the world's leading second-rows.

Borthwick's approach

Borthwick has a debt of gratitude to Jones, who gave him his coaching break with Japan before appointing him England assistant. The England coach has emphasized the need for mental alertness in Test match rugby.

When Jones was in charge, England won three Six Nations titles, including one grand slam, and reached the final of the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Itoje expects a warm reception for his former coach from the Twickenham crowd.