"The guys tried to implement the plan and we created opportunities, but we did not take them. England are an experienced side and over time they wore us down," Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. While England looked lost at times in the first half Japan were unable to capitalise, with their kicking game wayward and a litany of unforced errors including dropped balls and skewed lineout throws. As much as they were sloppy Japan could also rue some bad luck on Sunday, after conceding a slapstick try in which the ball bounced off England prop Joe Marler's head. "That is a first for me, we did not get any luck today, did we," Joseph said.

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Persons: Jamie Joseph, I'm, Joseph, Joe Marler's, Nick Said, Lawrence White, Toby Davis Organizations: England, Samoa, Pacific Islanders, Thomson Locations: France, Japan, Nice, England, Argentina