Jones keeps faith with same 23

TOKYO (June 21) – Japan coach Eddie Jones named the same 23-man squad for the third game in a row Friday for Japan’s final game of the summer when they take on the United States in the IRB Nations Cup on Sunday at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground.

Following on from the wins against Wales and Canada, Jones was able to make the call after Craig Wing was passed fit. The 33-year-old centre was originally selected to start against Canada but was a late withdrawal on Wednesday evening, with Yu Tamura starting in his place and Seiichi Shimomura called up to the bench.

Wing’s inclusion sees Tamura drop to the bench and Shimomura out of the squad all together. 

The starting XV for Sunday’s game is the same as that which started against Wales, meaning there are four changes — in addition to Wing taking over from Tamura — from the side that took to the field against Canada in Nagoya.

Masataka Mikami and Hiroshi Yamashita are both promoted from the bench with Yusuke Nagae and Kensuke Hatakeyama moving in the opposition direction.

Mikami and Yamashita will pack down either side of Shota Horie and in front on Hitoshi Ono and Shoji Ito.

Ono and Ito started Wednesday’s game on the bench and they take over from Justin Ives and Shinya Makabe, who resume their role as replacements.

Elsewhere the side is exactly the same with Hendrik Tui, Michael Broadhurst and Takashi Kikutani lining up in the back row. 

Fumiaki Tanaka and Harumichi Tatekawa continue their impressive partnership at halfback, with Wing pairing up with Male Sa’u in the centres.

Toshikai Hirose leads the side from right wing, with Kenki Fukuoka on the left and Wednesday’s match winner Ayumu Goromaru at fullback.

Takeshi Kizu, Atsushi Hiwasa and Yoshikazu Fujita join Nagae, Hatakeyama, Makabe, Ives and Tamura on the replacements bench.

When asked the reason for Japan’s recent success, Hirose said: “Hard work. But we have one game to go and we want to finish in style.”