Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has made four changes to his starting XV ahead of his team’s Rugby World Cup match with Ireland on Saturday.
The tournament hosts have decided to leave captain Michael Leitch on the bench, with Pieter Labuschagne taking the role.
Luke Thompson also comes into the starting team, and at 38 is the oldest player at this year’s competition.
Elsewhere Jiwon Koo, Amanaki Lelei Mafi and Ryohei Yamanaka join the starting line-up as Japan look to cause an upset.
Last week’s hat-hero during Japan’s 30-10 victory over Russia, Kotaro Matsushima continues on the right-wing and is a player Ireland will have to be cautious of with his blistering pace.
Japan have aspirations to qualify for the quarter-final stages for the first time in their history at this year’s tournament and despite Ireland being favourites here, a win for the hosts would put them in pole position to make the final eight.
Check Out the Full 23-Man Squad Below.
Starting XV:
1. Keita Inagaki
2. Shota Horie
3. Jiwon Koo
4. Luke Thompson
5. James Moore
6. Kazuki Himeno
7. Pieter Labuschagne (capt.)
8. Amanaki Lelei Mafi
9. Yutaka Nagare
10. Yu Tamura
11. William Tupou
12. Ryoto Nakamura
13. Timothy Lafaele
14. Kotaro Matsushima
15. Ryohei Yamanaka
Replacements:
16. Atsushi Sakate
17. Isileli Nakajima
18. Asaeli Ai Valu
19. Wimpie van der Walt
20. Michael Leitch
21. Fumiaki Tanaka
22. Rikiya Matsuda
23. Lomano Lava Lemeki
