Joseph Keeps Faith with Same Starting XV

TOKYO (Nov. 24) – Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named the 23 players that will
take on Fiji at Stade de la Rabine in Vannes, France, on Saturday.

The starting XV is the same as the run-on side for last week’s game against Wales in Cardiff, and there are just three changes on the bench.

Satoshi Nakatani and veteran tighthead prop Kensuke Hatakeyama pack down either side of co-captain Shota Horie in the front row.

Samuela Anise and Kyosuke Kajikawa will again form the second row with Malgene Ilaua, Shunsuke Nunomaki and Amanaki Lelei Mafi in the back row.

Fumiaki Tanaka and Yu Tamura are at halfback with co-captain Harumichi Tatekawa and Timothy Lafaele in the centres.

Akihito Yamada, Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima resume their dangerous combination in the back three.

Joseph has gone for a 5-3 split on the bench with Kanta Higashionna coming in to join Takeshi Hino and Heiichiro Ito as the front-row cover.

Kotaro Yatabe is promoted to the match-day 23 and provides cover for the second row with Shuhei Matsuhashi the reserve back-row forward.

Keisuke Uchida and Amanaki Lotoahea are once again named on the bench and they are joined in the replacement backs by Karne Hesketh.

The winner of Saturday’s game will finish the year in 10th spot in World Rugby’s world rankings.