Japan, invited into the first Nations Championship and coached again by Eddie Jones, meet England at Twickenham in the second of three home pool matches.
England’s second home pool match of the first Nations Championship brings Japan to Allianz Stadium in Twickenham on Saturday 14 November 2026.
Japan earned their place in rugby’s upper tier through two World Cups. At Brighton in 2015 they beat South Africa 34-32 with a last-minute try from Karne Hesketh, a result widely called the biggest upset in the sport’s history.
Four years later, at their own World Cup, they beat Ireland 19-12 and Scotland 28-21 to top their pool. They reached a quarter-final for the first time and lost to South Africa, the eventual champions.
The coach behind Brighton was Eddie Jones, who led England from 2015 to 2022 and returned to Japan in 2023. He was in charge when the sides last met at the ground in 2024, and England won 59-14.
Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR built the championship for the years without a World Cup or a Lions tour. They invited Japan and Fiji to join Australia, Argentina, New Zealand and South Africa in the southern group. The pool table sets the pairings for the Finals Weekend at Twickenham from 27 to 29 November.