Japan Name World Cup Squad

Forwards: Hisateru Hirashima, Naoki Kawamata, Yusuke Aoki, Shota Horie, Hiroki Yuhara, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Nozomu Fujita, Hitoshi Ono, Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, Justin Ives, Takashi Kikutani, Michael Leitch, Sione Vatuvei, Ryukoliniasi Holani, Itaru Taniguchi.

Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Tomoki Yoshida, Atsushi Hiwasa, James Arlidge, Murray Williams, Yuta Imamura, Ryan Nicholas, Koji Taira, Alisi Tupuailai, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Takehisa Usuzuki, Shaun Webb, Taihei Ueda.

Thoughts?

Don't know many of the names there Munsty, but really hope that Japan put up a good showing in this World Cup. They seem to be working hard on strengthening their Top League structure with some good signings to aid development of home grown talent. Would love to see them really develop and kick on as a top rugby nation.

Kirwan says he is looking for two wins. I don't think they will manage it.

Do you think they will manage one? Its between Tonga, Japan and Canada for 3rd place in that group isnt it? I would think they've got a reasonable chance of at least one win, probably against Canada? Mind you, I guess the Canadians will be targeting that game too.

Its easy to get draw away from those type of games with all the focus on the big teams, but I think some of the inter minnow games should be really good to watch.

[quote="Bathman_in_London"]Do you think they will manage one? Its between Tonga, Japan and Canada for 3rd place in that group isnt it? I would think they've got a reasonable chance of at least one win, probably against Canada? Mind you, I guess the Canadians will be targeting that game too.

Its easy to get draw away from those type of games with all the focus on the big teams, but I think some of the inter minnow games should be really good to watch.[/quote]

They'll have a good shot at Canada though I'm not sure about Tonga who will probably be too strong for them, what was the result between them in the pacific nations cup?

Well Japan won the tournament and beat Tonga away. But I dont know how many of the Tongan European based players were involved. I'd guess not many.

It will be a good match though.

Indeed it will. I've just downloaded the WC outlook calender from the EC website. So my work diary is now looking pretty busy during September and October! Some pretty good 'minnow' midweek fixtures in the pool stages.