Rugby World Cup inspiring youngsters in Suffolk

Rugby clubs across the county are backing England when they face Japan tonight at 8pm

Author: Josh BarnesPublished 17th Sep 2023

Rugby fans in Suffolk 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.

"Hopefully we will see more and more people get involved"

Joanna Williams for Woodbridge rugby club, said: "The world cup will introduce and ignite people, the success of it, the excitement!"

Speaking about the strength of youth rugby in the region, she said: "We have nearly 400 juniors playing on a Sunday morning .

"It's great to see the Under Six's right up to through to the Colts as well and everyone getting involved, It's just having a go."

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.

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