Jones hands World Cup debuts to Fujita, Wing

WARWICK, England (Oct. 9 ) – Eddie Jones has named the Japan side to play the United States on Sunday in Pool B of Rugby World Cup 2015.

The starting XV shows four changes and one positional switch from the side that started last Saturday’s win over Samoa, and there is one further change on the bench.

Yoshikazu Fujita gets his first start of the tournament on the right wing, as does Craig Wing at inside centre.

Justin Ives replaces Hitoshi Ono at lock, while Hiroshi Yamashita is preferred to Kensuke Hatakeyama at tighthead prop.

“Obviously this is our most important game at the World Cup so I’ve picked our strongest team as I have the whole World Cup,” said Jones, adding that Ono and Male Sa’u were both ruled out with injury.

Wing, who was a late withdrawal from the opening game of the tournament, will become the oldest Japan player to debut at a Rugby World Cup when he takes to the field at Gloucester’s Kingsholm stadium.

The former Australia rugby league star will partner Harumichi Tatekawa, who shifts from 12 to 13.

The one change in personnel on the bench sees Shinya Makabe brought in as one of the six forwards.

“It maximizes the strength of our squad,” Jones said referring to the 6:2 forwards, backs split. “We know (flanker) Hendrik Tui can cover centre and wing. He is an outstanding player.”

A win for Japan on Sunday combined with a victory for Samoa over Scotland on Saturday would see Japan reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

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