Joseph scores record-equalling five tries as England rout Japan

Will Joseph marked his comeback after four years out the Test game with a record-equalling five tries as England tore through Japan and set their sights on New Zealand next weekend. Since then he has endured his boyhood club London Irish going bust, an underwhelming spell at Harlequins and the loss of hearing in his left ear after an auto-immune reaction.

But his superb early season form for Gloucester has thrust him back into the international picture and he took his opportunity superbly, showing work-rate and intelligence as well as raw top-end speed. Four other players - Douglas Lambert, Rory Underwood, Josh Lewsey and Henry Arundell - have scored five tries in a single match for England.

Japan were vastly over-matched, unable to rev up the ball movement and quickfire rucks that have made them a threat to the game's major powers in the past. With the outcome clear as England raced out to a 32-3 lead inside 20 minutes, the focus sharpened on a number of individuals attempting to press their case alongside Joseph.