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• Borthwick taking positives from 'frustrating' Autumn Series

  England ensured they ended 2024 on a high note as they claimed a 59-14 victory over Japan, and coach Steve Borthwick is taking the positives from a difficult Autumn Nations Series.

  Borthwick's team lost three matches on the spin, going down to New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, earlier this month.

  However, they at least rallied to wrap up their year with an emphatic victory on Sunday, ending a five-match losing streak.

  Captain Jamie George crossed twice in the first half, with Ben Earl, Sam Underhill and Ollie Sleightholme also going over before the interval, while Marcus Smith was on form with the boot.

  Japan, coached by former England boss Eddie Jones, did score through a fantastic try from Naoto Saito, but England kept their foot on the pedal after half-time.

  George Furbank rounded off a slick move after latching onto Tommy Freeman's exceptional pass, while Luke Cowan-Dickie went over twice, either side of Tom Roebuck's maiden international try, with Kazuki Himeno grabbing another consolation for the visitors. 

  While Borthwick knows England have plenty to improve on, he feels they are not too short of where they wish to be.

  He said: "Reflecting on it, the obvious overriding feeling will be one of frustration to have come so close to getting results but not actually be able to convert them, I think that will be one aspect.

  "The other aspect would be real positivity around some of the aspects we've seen the team play.

  "I want them to be brave with the ball, I want them to play fast. I think we've seen growth in that area over the last four weeks."

  Reflecting on Sunday's display, he added: "I'm really pleased with the way the players approached the game and the way they kept their discipline to play the way we want to play.

  "You can see the identity they're trying to build as a team, one that moves the ball and can score in different ways.

  "Some of the tries were exceptional. Over the past four weeks, we've scored some really outstanding tries. With the skill level that's in the group, I'm really pleased they took it onto the grass."

• 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. 

• 'Playing for England is the Mecca' according to Itoje amid global breakaway talk

  Maro Itoje has reaffirmed his commitment to England amid talks of a proposed global breakaway league.

  Steve Borthwick’s side are looking to end their five-match losing run when they face Japan in their final match of the autumn series on Sunday.

  But there is fear that Borthwick could lose many of his players to the new league that reportedly are offering 40 £1m-a-season contracts for marquee players and more periods of rests for the players. 

  The Rugby Football Union (RFU) only select players for the national team from English clubs, meaning any player joining the breakaway league would jeopardise their Test career. 

  But Itoje has insisted that playing for England is the pinnacle for him and his teammates. 

  "I don't really know any of the details of it as yet, but wearing this rose is extremely important to me and my teammates," said Itoje.

  "Playing for England is the Mecca."