Japan side for Uruguay test named

FUKUOKA (Aug. 21) – Japan coach Eddie Jones has named his side to play Uruguay at Level 5 Stadium on Saturday, the Brave Blossoms’ penultimate game before they leave for the Rugby World Cup.

Following a training run against Munakata Sanix Blues earlier this week, Jones said the game against the South Americans gave him the opportunity to test a number of other players before he has to name his final 31-man RWC squad.

“We had a good hit out on Wednesday night against Sanix. Now that squad has gone into a reconditioning program and we’ve named a new 23 to play against Uruguay,” he said.

“The Uruguay game is hopefully another step up for us in terms of preparing for the World Cup and gives the players another great opportunity to push for selection for the final 31.”

In the forwards there are two changes in the second row with Hitoshi Ono and Shoji Ito back in the starting XV and two positional switches and one change in the back row.

Michael Leitch moves from openside flanker to blindside, Hendrik Tui goes from 6 to 8 and Hayden Hopgood comes in at 7.

In the backs, Atsushi Hiwasa and Kosei Ono both return at halfback, Yu Tamura is back at inside centre with Male Sa’u moving to 13.

Meanwhile, scrumhalf Keisuke Uchida is given a chance to show his versatility with Jones handing him the No. 11 jersey.

There is one new cap in the squad with prop Takayuki Watanabe brought in to cover a pair of injuries.

“Because of injuries to (Hisateru) Hirashima and (Keita) Inagaki we’ve brought Watanabe into the squad,” Jones said. “He’ll sit on the bench so it’s a fantastic opportunity for the young guy from Tokai University.”