England must be 'brave on the ball' to halt winless run, says Borthwick

England head coach Steve Borthwick has demanded his team to be "brave on the ball" when they take on Eddie Jones' Japan in the Autumn Nations Series on Sunday.

Borthwick's side have lost each of their last five matches, their longest such run since another five-game stretch between February and June 2018.

However, they have not lost more in a row since a streak of seven in 2006. Each of the five losses in their current streak have also come in single-digit margins.

But England have also struggled at home. They have fallen to defeat in their last three matches at the Allianz Stadium, their longest losing run since 2008.

Only once before have they lost more in a row at the Twickenham venue (L5 between 1971 and 1973), though Borthwick has urged his players to persist with an attacking style.

"We are trying to play the game a different way," he told BBC Sport.

"I am encouraging the players to be brave with the ball, to move the ball, that’s where the strength of the team now is and where it is going to be in the future."

All set to face the Brave Blossoms Steve Borthwick has named his 23-man squad to take on Japan this Sunday @O2 | #WearTheRose pic.twitter.com/vfc90YmcHK

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) November 22, 2024

Borthwick named his 23-man squad to face Japan on Friday, reinstating Tom Curry and Sam Underhill, nicknamed the "Kamikaze Kids" by Jones in 2019.

Curry has been recalled to the team after he was knocked out against Australia, and he replaces Chandler Cunningham-South in the back-row.

In the other change from the starting XV that lost to South Africa, full-back George Furbank comes in for Freddie Steward.

Fin Smith replaces George Ford on England's bench while Cunningham-South steps in for Alex Dombrandt. Sale's Opoku-Fordjour could also make his senior debut.

"We anticipate a tough challenge from a team that thrives on playing fast and with tempo," said Borthwick.

"Japan are a dangerous team, so it’s important that we execute our game plan and maintain focus throughout the full 80 minutes."

England team to face Japan

George Furbank, Tommy Freeman, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Ollie Sleightholme, Marcus Smith, Jack van Poortvliet, Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Will Stuart, Maro Itoje, George Martin, Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Ben Earl.

Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Fin Baxter, Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Nick Isiekwe, Chandler Cunningham-South, Harry Randall, Fin Smith, Tom Roebuck.