Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named Michael Leitch as captain in a 34-man squad for the upcoming matches in October and November.
The Brave Blossoms take on a World XV at Fukuoka’s Level 5 Stadium on October 28. They then play Australia on November 4 at Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium before flying to France where they will play Tonga on November 18 at Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse and France at the U Arena in Nanterre, on the outskirts of Paris on November 25.
The squad contains six uncapped players and will be led by Leitch.
“I am excited and happy to be appointed as a captain but feel responsibly at the same time,” Leitch said.
“I am excited because there are a lot of good leaders within the team and I will do my best. Rugby World Cup 2019 is two years away. There is still plenty of work to be done to reach our goals. We have a big and exciting challenge ahead of us and we look forward to your support throughout our journey to the World Cup.”
Five of the six uncapped players are forwards with props Koo Ji Won and Asaeli Ai Valu, lock/flankers Wimpie van der Walt and Kazuki Himeno and number eight Fetuani Lautaimi all in line to win their first caps.
The one uncapped back is centre Sione Teaupa.
“Outside the specialist positions of front row and halfback, I am looking for players who can play a number of positions,” Joseph said.
“In a World Cup you can suffer from injuries so it is a real advantage and I have selected the team with that in mind.”
Male Sa’u is recalled to national colours in part because injury means co-captain Harumichi Tatekawa will miss the first two games, while Olympian Lomano Lava Lemeki is also back after recovering from injury.
Ryuji Noguchi, Rikiya Matsuda and Ryoto Nakamura ensure there is plenty of youth in the backline, while wings Kenki Fukuoka and Akihito Yamada have been in sparkling form in the Japan Rugby Top League.
“We have a great balance of up-and-coming players and some very experienced international players.” Joseph said.
“The caliber of the teams we are playing is very challenging but we are going in with a winning mindset.”
Japan squad:
Forwards: Shintaro Ishihara, Keita Inagaki, Koki Yamamoto, Atsushi Sakate, Takeshi Hino, Shota Horie, Takuma Asahara, Asaeli Ai Valu, Jiwon Koo, Samuela Anise, Wimpie van der Walt, Uwe Helu, Kotaro Yatabe, Shunsuke Nunomaki, Kazuki Himeno, Shuhei Matsuhashi, Michael Leitch (c), Amanaki Mafi, Fetuani Lautaimi
Backs: Keisuke Uchida, Fumiaki Tanaka, Yutake Nagare, Yu Tamura, Rikiya Matsuda, Male Sau, Kenki Fukuoka, Akihito Yamada, Lomano Lemeki, Harumichi Tatekawa, Sione Teaupa, Ryoto Nakamura, Timothy Lafaele, Ryuji Noguchi, Kotaro Matsushima
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