Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Nations Championship opener

Japan beat Italy 27-10 to make an impressive start to their Nations Championship campaign in Tokyo on Saturday, with coach Eddie Jones absent through suspension.

Japan fell behind but soon hit back against the Italians, who came into the game off the back of a successful Six Nations where they beat England for the first time.

Jones was barred from the stadium as he served the last game of his four-match suspension from the Japan Rugby Football Union for abusing match officials on a tour of Australia earlier this year.

Forwards coach Neal Hatley took his place and watched his side score tries through captain Warner Dearns, full-back Takuro Matsunaga and flanker Ben Gunter in a confident performance in front of more than 20,000 fans.

“We thought we had an outstanding week’s preparation,” said Hatley.

“The men that were playing from the start made a big impact, and then the finishers added real energy to the team.