Rugby World Cup inspiring youngsters in Norfolk
Norfolk-based Freddie Steward will line up for England when they face Japan tonight at 8pm
Rugby fans in Norfolk are getting ready England's second World Cup group stage game against Japan at 8pm tonight.
England came into the tournament without much expectation after losing to Fiji for the first time ever. The side were on a run of four losses in five - but put in a great performance to beat Argentina 27-10 despite playing almost all of the game with 14-men.
Next up for England is another tough contest against the Brave Blossoms, who are joint top of Group D after their bonus point win against Chile.
"A really strong performance against a strong Argentina side."
Paul Wootton is the Chairman of Wymondham Rugby Club. Speaking about the performance against Argentina he said: "They played with an intensity and dare I say it a brutality that's been missing in the last four years.
Looking forward to the Japan game, Paul said: "it's a potential banana skin but I expect us to win. We are playing with more confidence and the forwards are shaping up really well."
Freddie Steward, England's superstar full-back is a Norfolk native who continues to inspire future generations with his performances.
Paul Wootton said: "Norfolk players do very very well at international level. It's extremely important in terms of our ability to sell the game, and also in terms of players believing that they can actually fulfil that dream."
Line-ups:
England: Steward; May, Marchant, Tuilagi, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Chessum, Lawes (capt), Earl, Ludlam.
Subs: Dan, Genge, Stuart, Martin, Vunipola, Youngs, Smith, Lawrence.
Japan: Masirewa; Matsushima, Osada, Nakamura, Naikabula; Matsuda, Nagare; Inagaki, Horie, Gu, Cornelsen, Fakatava, Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno (capt)
Subs: Sakate, Millar, Ai Valu, Dearns, Shimokawa, Saito, Riley, Lemeki.