A disappointing calendar year for England has at least ended with a flurry of tries and a healthier-looking outcome. A bucketload of points against a callow Japanese team on a blustery Sunday afternoon, however, does only so much to massage the overall bottom line. Five wins from 12 Tests – with four of the victories having come against Japan twice, Italy and Wales – tells the story of a side who look better when they face inferior opposition.

At least there were some flickers of pre-Christmas promise from the burgundy-clad hosts. There were a brace of tries apiece for England’s hookers Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie while Henry Slade had a quietly excellent game in midfield but New Zealand, Australia and South Africa would all have fancied racking up closer to 80 points.

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