Comeback kid Joseph thrills as England eye All Blacks

Eddie Jones aired a complaint about Twickenham's in-stadium experience when he appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live this week.

"Being a spectator and being told when to make noise is a bit funny," said the Japan boss, objecting to a big-screen request for an increase in volume.

Jones sat stony-faced in the coaching box as the message appeared again in the midst of his team's 78-15 thrashing at England's hands on Saturday.

There was little for him to enjoy on his return to Twickenham, where he was head coach for seven years.

But, for the rest of a capacity crowd, it was a fun one.

With junior tickets on sale at £15, there was a different atmosphere from usual. The decibels were higher, the demographic was younger, the spirits a little lighter.

And England brought plenty of entertainment to the party. Thirteen tries in total, with Will Joseph's five putting him in the centre of the chorus line.

The 24-year-old won his only previous England cap under Jones. Back in the summer of 2022, he was a teenage apprentice taken on tour to Australia and thrust into the second Test as a last-minute replacement.

His promise has taken some time to be fulfilled. He struggled for game time and fitness at Harlequins after London Irish's bankruptcy forced him to move on from his boyhood club.

An auto-immune condition that cost him the hearing in his left ear was one setback at the Stoop.

But, as part of a rat pack of exciting young English-qualified backs at Gloucester this season, he has been superb: a swerving, offloading, game-breaking threat either on the wing or in midfield.

England deployed him out wide, to bring some of the razzle-dazzle that they lost as Immanuel Feyi-Waboso limped out of their autumn campaign.

Reports from Pennyhill Park during the week had suggested Joseph was doing a fine job of replicating Feyi-Waboso's explosive elusiveness.

He certainly did on Twickenham's main stage, finishing chances with the same pace and power.

"He is pretty similar to Immanuel Feyi-Waboso in the way he plays his game," said former England wing Chris Ashton on BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He is just so fast. He doesn't look too fast in the first two steps and then he is just gone. He gets away from people."

Joseph's cartwheeling plant of the ball over the line for his fourth summed up his exuberance.

In the aftermath of that score, Japan flanker Ben Gunter put a consoling arm around full-back Kazuma Ueda, who had been comprehensively burned in a race to the corner.

Japan couldn't get near Joseph, whose first try came after just 60 seconds and his hat-trick score in the 19th minute.

"It has been a challenging four years, but I have enjoyed the journey to get back here and I am happy all that hard work I have put in has paid off," he said.

"I have had a taste for it now and I can't wait to do it again."

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We have been here before though.

There was another teenage apprentice taken on that tour of Australia alongside Joseph.

Henry Arundell was Joseph's Irish team-mate. His impact on the trip was greater, scoring a try in the first Test and winning his second and third caps in the series.

The following year, while Joseph returned to the club scene, Arundell made his first England start in the Six Nations.

He earned a place in the Rugby World Cup squad and, in a foregone conclusion of a pool match, cantered in for five tries against Chile in Lille.

Arundell was electric against limited opposition. He has yet to convince in sterner Tests.

Joseph still has those to come. A shade slower, but a smidge smarter, he may be better suited to the Test scene.

New Zealand next Saturday, stung by defeat by Wales, would definitely be a step up if Steve Borthwick decides to find out.

There was plenty elsewhere to please the head coach.

George Martin was at his abrasive best. The Saracens second row led England's carry and tackle standings in the comeback performance we have been waiting for since his 14-month injury lay-off ended in May.

Ellis Genge was snorting fire and bruising ribs and Maro Itoje's rejuvenation after a summer off continues.

In the backline, Max Ojomoh was too clever and quick for the Japanese midfield, spotting space either for himself or others.

Henry Pollock, the other point of interest in a much-changed line-up, found it harder to get into the game with ball in hand, but did the dirty work in defence and at the breakdown that some have questioned.