Eddie Jones says his England squad are looking forward to returning to Japan for a two-Test tour in the summer of 2020. England will take on Japan in their own country for the first time next year, with the opening Test taking place in Oita on July 4 before the second match heads to Kobe a week later. The Brave Blossoms won the hearts of the rugby world this year when hosting the World Cup, beating Ireland and Scotland en route to a defeat by eventual winners South Africa in the quarter-finals. As a result of Japan’s impressive run in the tournament, they have climbed to eighth in the rankings, five spots behind England. The Red Rose, who produced a stunning performance to knock out New Zealand in the semi-finals of the World Cup, came agonisingly close to lifting the Webb Ellis trophy for the second time after losing 32-12 to the Springboks in the final. Speaking about the return to Japan, Jones said: “Japan were fantastic Rugby World Cup hosts and we feel humbled to have been a part of it. The England squad had a fantastic experience of the country and we are excited to return in July next year.” England have won both previous meetings against Japan, winning 60-7 in the pool stages of the 1987 World Cup before triumphing 35-15 at Twickenham in November 2018.
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