Kotaro Matsushima of Japan breaks clear to score their first try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group A game between Japan and Scotland at International Stadium Yokohama on October 13, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
The 1888 Cup: Japan name team to face British and Irish Lions
Japan coach Jamie Joseph has named the Brave Blossoms team for the one-off Test match against the British and Irish Lions this weekend.
Kotaro Matsushima of Japan breaks clear to score their first try during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Group A game between Japan and Scotland at International Stadium Yokohama on October 13, 2019 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Japan’s Brave Blossoms have named their team for the one-off Test match against the British and Irish Lions this weekend.
There are a number of familiar faces in the lineup as Japan prepare for their first international since their exit from the 2019 Rugby World Cup at the hands of the Springboks.
South African-born Brave Blossoms, Wimpie van der Walt and Lappies Labuschagne retain their places in the starting lineup as does former Sharks academy winger Kotaro Matsushima.
Siosaia Fifita will make his international debut on the other wing, and is the only uncapped player in the starting lineup.
On the bench Prop Craig Millar, lock ack Cornelsen, and scrumhalf Naoto Saito are all set to debut if and when they get on the park.
Japan will play two Test matches on their tour of the British Isles with a match against Ireland following their historic encounter with the Lions.
Coach Jamie Joseph has had to strike a balancing act between youth and experience.
“We haven’t played since the 2019 Rugby World Cup. And because of the lack of rugby through Covid, both internationally and domestically, it was important we tried to keep the nucleus of the squad the same as before, so they could pass on all of the hard stuff and learnings.
“One of the reasons we did so well at the last World Cup was because our team culture was so strong and things were player-led, and if those players weren’t there we would have to start all over again. So it’s great to have the likes of Michael Leitch, Lappies Labuschagne and Yu Tamura back in the fold.
“Having said that, we need some of the younger guys to come through as we look towards the World Cup in 2023. There are certain positions where we need to see if the players can handle the intensity of not just the games but the preparation blocks.”
Japan team to face British and Irish Lions
Starting XV: 15 Ryohei YAMANAKA, 14 Kotaro MATSUSHIMA, 13 Timothy LAFAELE, 12 Ryoto NAKAMURA, 11 Siosaia FIFITA, 10 Yu TAMURA, 9 Kaito SHIGENO; 8 Amanaki Lelei MAFI, 7 Pieter LABUSCHAGNE, 6 Michael LEITCH (c), 5 James MOORE, 4 Wimpie VAN DER WALT, 3 Jiwon KOO, 2 Atsushi SAKATE, 1 Keita INAGAKI
Replacements: 16 Kosuke HORIKOSHI, 17 Craig MILLAR, 18 Asaeli Ai VALU, 19 Jack CORNELSEN, 20 Kazuki HIMENO, 21 Tevita TATAFU, 22 Naoto SAITO, 23 Rikiya MATSUDA.
