England v Japan, Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool D clash

England's Courtney Lawes and Japan's Michael Leitch battle for a line out during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match. Photo / AP

England have all but booked a spot in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after a 34-12 bonus point win over Japan in Nice.

After opening their tournament with a win over Argentina, England made it two from two after closing out the game in the final quarter.

Lewis Ludlam, Courtney Lawes, Freddie Steward and Joe Marchant all scored for England while George Ford had another strong game with the boot finishing with 14 points. England led 13-9 at the break but Japan cut the lead to just one in the second half before the 2003 winners scored three times in the final 25 minutes.

England face Chile next Sunday with a win likely to book a spot in the knockout phase before finishing pool play against Samoa. Japan finish against Samoa and Argentina and will likely need to win both to make the next round.

More to come...