EDINBURGH (Reuters) – Japan captain Pieter Labuschagne and lock James Moore each return from damage to strengthen the pack for Saturday’s check in opposition to Scotland at Murrayfield, coach Jamie Joseph introduced on Thursday.
They’re amongst 5 modifications to the group that beat Portugal 38-25 in Coimbra final weekend.
Labuschagne’s return means Kazuki Himeno strikes from open-side flanker to No. 8, whereas there may be additionally a swap at hooker the place Atsushi Sakate replaces Kosuke Horikoshi. Moore replaces Naohiro Kotaki.
Among the many backs, Yutaka Nagare is available in at scrumhalf rather than Kaito Shigeno whereas France-based Kotaro Matsushima begins on the wing after enjoying fullback within the 60-5 loss to Eire in Dublin a fortnight in the past. Meaning Dylan Riley drops to the alternative’s bench.
Shogo Nakano retains his place at outdoors centre after his debut in final weekend’s win in Portugal.
Group: 15-Ryohei Yamanaka, 14-Kotaro Matsushima, 13-Shogo Nakano, 12-Ryoto Nakamura, 11-Siosaia Fifita, 10-Rikiya Matsuda, 9-Yutaka Nagare, 8-Kazuki Himeno, 7-Pieter Labuschagne (captain), 6-Michael Leitch, 5-James Moore, 4-Jack Cornelsen, 3-Asaeli Ai Valu, 2-Atsushi Sakate, 1-Craig Millar
Replacements: 16-Kosuke Horikoshi, 17-Keita Inagaki , 18-Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19-Ben Gunter, 20-Tevita Tatafu, 21-Naoto Saito, 22-Yu Tamura, 23-Dylan Riley.
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Enhancing by Alex Richardson)
