Preview: Romania v Japan
Japan head into their clash with Romania with a 10-Test unbeaten streak which has seen them rise to an all-time high of ninth in the world rankings.
Two starting XV changes has seen Eddie Jones name his strongest possible side for the Romania Test in Bucharest on Saturday.
Masataka Mikami and Shoji Ito are the only changes from the Japan XV that started last week's narrow loss to the Maori All Blacks in Tokyo, while three players who were not involved in the non-cap internationals are added to the bench.
Mikami replaces Keita Inagaki, who will win his first cap if he comes off the bench, while Ito comes in for Luke Thompson.
In addition to Inagaki, there are two new caps in the starting XV in Amanaki Lelei Mafi and Karne Hesketh, both of whom impressed against the Maori.
"We have selected our strongest available team and are expecting a very physical game," Jones said.
Mikami lines up with Takeshi Kizu and Kensuke Hatakeyama in the front row, with Ito and Shinya Makabe in the engine room.
Mafi forms a physical back row alongside captain Michael Leitch and Hendrik Tui.
With Yu Tamura still not fully recovered from the knock he took in the first game against the Maori, Jones has opted to play the same backs that started last week's game.
"Tamura is still not 100 percent, so Kosei retains his place at flyhalf and the rest of the backline, that performed very well against the Maoris, is the same," he added.
On the bench, Yuki Yatomi is brought back to the international fold for the first time since 2009 and joins Hiroshi Yamashita and Toshiaki Hirose, who both sat out the games against the Maori.
"We are looking forward to playing some good high tempo rugby with a strong set piece," he stated.
Meanwhile, Romania coach Lynn Howells has made several changes to the team that lost to the United States last week.
Florin Vlaicu switches from inside centre to flyhalf, taking the place of Dorin Manole, who moves to the right wing. Ionut Botezatu comes into the starting XV on the left wing while Robert Dascalu takes over at from Vlaicu in the midfield.
There is an all-new front row as Paulica Ion, Andrei Radoi and Andrei Ursache get a starting role while Valentin Popirlan replaces Alin Coste in the second row.
Players to watch:
For Romania: The all-new front row will want to give a good showing of themselves while Florin Vlaicu is expected to prove why he is better suited at flyhalf.
For Japan: Michael Leitch will be busy as always as he looks to help create an ideal attacking platform for his backline by making a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. Speedster Akihito Yamada will be looking to continue his try-scoring form while Japan will rely on the boot of fullback Ayumu Goromaru for valuable points.
Head to head: The new-look Romanian front row could be in for a long day if they don't take the game to Japan. Kosei Ono and Florin Vlaicu will have a fierce battle in seeing who can release their backline while Dorin Manole will have his hands full with a confident Akihito Yamada.
Previous results:
2012: Japan won 34-23 in Bucharest
2005: Japan won 23-16 in Tokyo
2004: Romania won 25-10 in Bucharest
1995: Japan won 34-21 in Tokyo
1995: Romania won 30-25 in Tokyo
Prediction: Romania will want to give a good showing of themselves in front of their home fans but the ninth ranked team in the world will prove too strong for the Europeans. Japan will claim a comfortable 20-point victory.
Teams:
Romania: 15 Catalin Fercu 14 Dorin Manole, 13 Csaba Gal, 12 Robert Dascalu, 11 Ionut Botezatu, 10 Florin Vlaicu, 9 Valentin Calafeteanu, 8 Daniel Carpo, 7 Mihai Macovei (captain), 6 Ovidiu Tonita 5 Valentin Popirlan, 4 Marius Serbs, 3 Paulica Ion, 2 Andrei Radoi, 1 Andrei Ursache,
Replacements: 16 Otar Turashvili, 17 Mihaita Lazar, 18 Horace bags, 19 Alin Coste, 20 Stelian Burca, Grigoras 21 Diaconescu, 22 Florin Ionita, 23 Robert Neagu
Japan: 15 Ayumu Goromaru, 14 Karne Hesketh, 13 Kotaro Matsushima, 12 Male Sau, 11 Akihito Yamada, 10 Kosei Ono, 9 Atsushi Hiwasa, 8 Amanaki Lelei Mafi, 7 Michael Leitch (captain), 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Shinya Makabe, 4 Shoji Ito, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 2 Takeshi Kizu, 1 Masataka Mikami.
Replacements: 16 Keita Inagaki, 17 Hiroki Yuhara, 18 Hiroshi Yamashita, 19 Hitoshi Ono, 20 Hayden Hopgood , 21 Yuki Yatomi, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa, 23 Toshiaki Hirose.
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf, Bucharest
Kick-off: 16.00 (14.00 GMT, 23.00 Japan Standard Time)
Expected weather: Cloudy, low of 5°C, high of 8°C
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Greg Garner (England), RFU Appointment
TMO: Marshall Kilgore (Ireland)
