Labuschagne to lead Japan against Ireland

FUKUROI, Japan (Sept. 26) – Pieter Labuschagne will lead Japan against Ireland in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup in a side showing four changes and two positional switches from the team that started against Russia on the opening night of the tournament.
With Amanaki Lelei Mafi back to full fitness, head coach Jamie Joseph has opted to move Kazuki Himeno from the back of the scrum to blindside flanker, with Labuschagne at open side and Mafi handed the No. 8 jersey.
Michael Leitch, therefore, drops to the bench with Labuschagne leading the side.
There are two other changes in the pack with Luke Thompson starting in the second row alongside James Moore and Koo Ji Won coming in at tighthead to team up with Keita Inagaki and Shota Horie in the front row.
In the backs, Ryohei Yamanaka is promoted from the bench and will wear the No. 15 jersey with William Tupou shifting to the wing.
Kotaro Matsushima, who scored a hat-trick of tries in the 30-10 win over Russia, keep his place on the right wing as do centres Ryoto Nakamura and Timothy Lafaele and halfbacks Yutaka Nagare and Yu Tamura.
Atsushi Sakate, Iseleli Nakajima and Asaeli Ai Valu provide the front-row cover with Wimpie van der Walt and Leitch the two other reserve forwards.
Fumiaki Tanaka, Rikiya Matsuda and Lomano Lava Lemeki are the replacement backs.