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• 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."

  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. 

• Conte hopes for Ranieri's success at Roma after Napoli clash

  Antonio Conte hopes that everything will go well for Claudio Ranieri after he came out of retirement to take charge of Roma, but only after their Serie A clash this weekend.

  Ranieri was tempted back into management by a return to where he began as a player. His third spell at Roma comes after the club sacked two coaches already this season and with the team 12th in the standings.

  A trip to leaders Napoli is Ranieri's first task, and Conte is looking forward to meeting up with the 73-year-old.

  "I am pleased to see Claudio, I have great esteem for him and there is also friendship," Conte told reporters ahead of Sunday's game.

  "I am happy with the chance he has been given. It will be a tough game, for us and for them. Last year, Roma finished ahead of Napoli, they are in the Europa League and had a good transfer window.

  "They are not performing according to expectations and I hope for Claudio that everything starts to work after Sunday's game."

  The arrival of Ranieri in place of Ivan Juric brings with it not just the danger of the 'new manager bounce' but also upsets Conte's plans for the game.

  "When a team changes coach there is an important input on a nervous level," Conte said.

  "They are at the third change on the bench. It's inevitable that, if Juric had remained, we knew what kind of team we were going to face.

  "Now it's an enigma, we don't have much information nor do we know how they will deal with us. So let's think about ourselves, there is a desire and enthusiasm to continue this path."

  After a streak of 21 consecutive home wins in Serie A, Conte lost his last home league match (0-3 against Atalanta). Only once in his career has he recorded two consecutive home defeats in the competition: in November 2009, when he was in charge of Atalanta (against Juventus and Roma).

  Napoli are top of the table, but Conte knows it is still early, and with just two points separating the top six clubs, which includes the likes of Atalanta, Fiorentina and Lazio, for now, it is a different title race than usual.

  "Only 12 games have passed and there are many teams within very few points," he said.

  "We are doing well, but so are the others. There isn't one team which has distanced the others. Perhaps there is a little amazement in seeing some teams in those positions in the standings."

• Martino resigns as Inter Miami coach after early playoff exit

  Gerardo Martino has resigned as Inter Miami's head coach due to personal reasons, the MLS side have confirmed.

  The Argentine ends his 17-month stint in charge of the Herons following their MLS Cup exit just under a fortnight ago.

  Martino, who oversaw Miami's Leagues Cup triumph soon after his arrival last season, guided the franchise to this year's Supporters' Shield with a regular-season record tally of 74 points.

  However, they were eliminated by his former side Atlanta United in round one of the MLS Cup playoffs.

  Miami opened their best-of-three series against Atlanta with a 2-1 win, only to lose by the same scoreline in Game 2 before falling to a dramatic 3-2 defeat in the decider.

  “It has been an honour to work at such a special club, and to lead such a special team," Martino said.  

  "I’ve enjoyed my stay at Inter Miami and will treasure the memories made and relationships forged here for the rest of my life.

  "I depart with nothing but gratitude for my time here and would like to offer sincere thanks to everyone that made it possible."