Joseph Names Side for Return Game Against S. Korea

TOKYO (April 27) – Japan coach Jamie Joseph has named his side to take on South Korea on Saturday in Round 2 of the Asia Rugby Championship.

The two sides met on the opening weekend of the tournament with the Brave Blossoms winning 47-29  in Incheon.

But Joseph was unhappy with the performance of his team, particularly in defence, and as such the starting XV for the return game at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground shows eight changes and two positional switches from the side that ran on last week.

Six of the changes come in the pack with loosehead prop Shintaro Ishihara and openside flanker Naoki Ozawa, the only two forwards to keep their places.

Ishihara packs down with hooker Atsushi Sakate and  Genki Sudo in the front row with Kotaro Yatabe and Samuela Anise forming an all-new second row.

Ozaki is joined in the back row by No. 8 Shuhei Matsuhashi and Malgene Ilaua.

Captain Yutaka Nagare and Jumpei Ogura retain their places at halfback with Rikiya Matsuda promoted from the bench at inside centre.

Ryohei Yamanaka keeps his spot in the No. 13 jersey while Amanaki Lotoahea switches from the left wing to the right.

Rugby World Cup 2015 star Akihito Yamada returns to the side in the No. 11 jersey with Ryuji Noguchi moving from right wing to fullback.

The reserve bench sees Takeshi Hino, Shogo Miura and Yu Chinen cover the front row with Naohiro Kotaki and Yoshitaka Tokunaga the other two replacement forwards.

Kaito Shigeno is the backup scrumhalf, Takuya Yamasawa will win his first cap if he comes on at flyhalf and Ryoto Nakamura is the other reserve back.