DEMON HEAD MASTER JOE

Marler uses bonce to avoid shock

- ALEX SPINK

ENGLAND 34

JAPAN 12

ENGLAND escaped to the luckiest of wins after captain Courtney Lawes grabbed a freak try off the head of Joe Marler.

An awful first hour by Steve Borthwick's team had threatened to end with their most embarrassing World Cup defeat.

On the same Nice pitch where England's footballers suffered their lowest moment against Iceland at the 2016 Euros, Japan had the Red Rose in a world of bother for almost an hour.

But just as hope appeared to be heading for the exit, Lady Luck came to their rescue in almost comedic fashion as George Ford's pass bounced off the top of Marler's head to give Lawes the simplest of walk-in tries.

Until then England's display had been no laughing matter. They had huffed and puffed without ever looking like they knew what they were doing.