Get Newsletter

Japan make just one change for France clash

The All Black has brought in Yutaka Nagare at scrumhalf in place of Fumiaki Tanaka, who drops to the bench where flank Yoshitaka Tokunaga replaces the injured Shunsuke Nunomaki.

ADVERTISEMENT

Japan, who will host the 2019 World Cup, are hoping to spring a surprise on Guy Noves' French team who are struggling after defeats to South Africa and New Zealand.

"We understand the French team is also under a lot of pressure from the public so maybe we can use that to our advantage," said captain Michael Leitch.

"But I am sure France will come out and hope to put in a good performance for their fans."

The "Brave Blossoms" are fresh from beating Tonga 39-6 in Toulouse last weekend.

Saturday's match will be played at the recently-opened U Arena, a 30 000-capacity venue in Nanterre, just outside Paris.

Japan: 15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Lomano Lemeki, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Harumichi Tatekawa, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 8 Michael Leitch (captain), 7 Amanaki Mafi, 6 Kazuki Himeno, 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 Wimpie van der Walt, 3 Koo Ji-Won, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Keita Inagaki.

Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Shintaro Ishihara, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 20 Fetuani Lautaimi, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Sione Teaupa, 23 Yoshikazu Fujita.

ADVERTISEMENT

Date: Saturday, November 25

Venue: U Arena, Paris

Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 04.00 Japan Time, Sunday, November 26)

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland)

TMO: Sean Davey (England)

Agence France-Presse

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment