apan are set for a decider against Argentina after a hard-fought 28-22 win over an ill-disciplined Samoa side in Toulouse on Thursday, a result which confirmed England as winners of Pool D
Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno all scored tries, with Rikiya Matsuda adding 13 points from the boot to give the Japanese a win which was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, leaping their opponents into second place in Pool D with nine points.
Samoa, who had Ben Lam red carded early in the second half and answered with tries by Seilala Lam, Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano as well as points from the tee by Alai D’Angelo Leuila and Leali’ifano, are third on six points.
With 14 points, England cannot finish outside the top two. Fourth-placed Argentina are expected to add to their four points when they meet Chile on Saturday before a potential pool decider against Japan in the last round of group games.
