Saints full-back Furbank can't wait to get started as England face Japan

Furbank and six of his Saints team-mates are with the Red Rose ahead of their Summer Series opener against Japan (kick-off 6.50am BST).

Alex Mitchell, Tommy Freeman and Furbank will all start in Tokyo, while Fin Smith is on the bench.

And Furbank said: “We’re very excited, the boys who were with the Saints and the boys who’ve already had a few weeks training, we’re really excited to play at the Olympic Stadium against what we think is a very good team.

“Japan has a new coaching setup so we don’t know exactly what to expect.

“We’ve been watching a decent amount of Top League (League One) from Japan so it’s probably going to be something similar to that.”

Furbank really established himself as England’s first-choice full-back during the Guinness Six Nations.

And he expects the Red Rose to play in a similar fashion to how they did in their most recent tournament action.

Furbank said: “I can’t give everything away. We’ve had a focus on Japan and what they’re like as a group but most of the focus is on us this week.

"We have a clear game plan and nothing will change too much from the Six Nations.”

England will be up against a familiar face this weekend as Japan are coached by Eddie Jones.

Furbank was actually handed his England debut by Jones in 2020.

And the Saints star said: “I got on well with Eddie, he gave me my first cap, I’m appreciative.

"He was a unique coach, I’ve never had a coach like him before.

"He was good to me and definitely came in and made the team better.”