British & Irish Lions vs Japan, 26 June

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BRITISH & IRISH LIONS v JAPAN
Saturday 26th June
3:00pm KO
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Channel 4 Live

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère
Assistant Referees: Romain Poite, Pierre Brousset
TMO: Eric Gauzins

TEAMS:

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
09. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

01. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
02. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
03. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
04. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
05. Alun Wyn Jones – Captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
06. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
07. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) #786
08. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

16. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
20. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
23. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816

JAPAN:

15. Ryohei YAMANAKA
14. Kotaro MATSUSHIMA
13. Timothy LAFAELE
12. Ryoto NAKAMURA
11. Siosaia FIFITA
10. Yu TAMURA
09. Kaito SHIGENO

08. Amanaki Lelei MAFI
07. Pieter LABUSCHAGNE
06. Michael LEITCH (c)
05. James MOORE
04. Wimpie VAN DER WALT
03. Jiwon KOO
02. Atsushi SAKATE
01. Keita INAGAKI

16. Kosuke HORIKOSHI
17. Craig MILLAR
18. Asaeli Ai VALU
19. Jack CORNELSEN
20. Kazuki HIMENO
21. Tevita TATAFU
22. Naoto SAITO
23. Rikiya MATSUDA

COMMENTARY:

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named 21 uncapped players in a 52-man training squad – his first squad announcement since the 2019 World Cup – ahead of the nation’s historic clash with the British and Irish Lions in June. The Brave Blossoms are scheduled to face the Lions at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on June 26 in what will be the first-ever clash between the two sides.

Joseph has called on a mix of his 2019 World Cup stars, uncapped players, homegrown talent and foreign imports to prepare for the match. 21 members of the World Cup squad, such as standout wing Kotaro Matsushima and captain Michael Leitch, have been recalled back into the training camp.

18 of those players were part of the match day side that featured in Japan’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance in Tokyo two years ago, a match the Brave Blossoms lost 26-3 to eventual champions South Africa.

Among the cohort of uncapped prospects included in Joseph’s enlarged squad, there are a raft of names that will be familiar to Super Rugby fans.

Former Highlanders prop Craig Millar, who moved to Japan to join the Sunwolves in 2018, is one such player, as are ex-Blues lock Liaki Moli. The pair join the likes of former Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott, ex-Southern Kings midfielder Shane Gates and experienced outside back Gerhard van den Heever as uncapped foreigners who have completed residency requirements in order to become eligible for Japan.

All five players have subsequently been named in Joseph’s squad, as have three Australian youngsters – Dylan Riley, Jack Cornelsen and Ben Gunter – who are all one step closer to switching their allegiance to Japan.

Other notable uncapped players to have earned selection include those who have starred in the domestic Top League competition.

Tongan-born Kobelco Steelers No 8 Lui Naeata, who stands at 1.93m and 118kg, has been a dominant force for the reigning Top League champions since joining the club in 2018. As a result, the 27-year-old has been handed a maiden call-up to the national side and will compete with Highlanders star Kazuki Himeno, Canon Eagles powerhouse Amanaki Mafi and Suntory Sungoliath behemoth Tevita Tatafu for a place at the back of the scrum.

Likewise, halfback Naoto Saito has been in fine form while working in tandem with Beauden Barrett as halves partners at Suntory Sungoliath this season, and the 23-year-old is one of three scrumhalves in line for a potential test debut.

Based on the performances he has seen throughout the Top League this season, Joseph said he was “excited” for his side’s chances in the upcoming fixture, even if it has been 18 months since Japan last played a test match.

“It’s been a long time coming since our last squad announcement and I am very excited about our upcoming challenge against the British and Irish Lions,” he said in a statement.

“It will be a very special occasion for the team to play the Lions for the first time ever. Announcing this squad is the first step in our preparation.

“The 2021 Top League has produced some great team performances and the competition between the teams is a lot closer than past years which is great for the development of the game in Japan.”

Joseph added the Lions clash presents his uncapped players with a chance to prove their worth on the test scene following the departures of former senior players.

Two days after the announcement of the final squad to travel to the Scottish capital, the selected players will assemble for a 12-day training camp in Beppu, Oita between May 26 and June 8.

The Brave Blossoms will then play a warm-up match against a Sunwolves select in Shizuoka on June 12 before flying out to Scotland on June 16.

Obviously limited options at present but this game is hammering home we can't have the bench without proper 7 cover.

Pascal and Jimmy Anderson are never seen together at the same time.

Weird.  

referee is callin maul very quickly in the tackle

AWJ doesn’t look good tbh, I think he knew it. His time on the floor was the pain of disappointment, rather than a bone break (or whatever it was).

Lions shirt looks like knock off Man Utd replica.'

It's a shame about AWJ, I would still take him and he can do all the Media stuff

The choke tackle is becoming too big of a weapon in rugby now.

Cyril wrote:Lions shirt looks like knock off Man Utd replica.'

Lots of them on eBay for £18.

Im going to be honest and positive here, I really like the shirt in the flesh but it doesn't look as good on the TV as the last tour shirt.

That did not look like a dislocated shoulder to me!

Surely it was his wrist lower are. Looks like a fracture to me.

Cyril wrote:Lions shirt looks like knock off Man Utd replica.'

I wanted the green changed shirt. Sold out by the time I first saw and has remained out of stock since. Bizarre they haven't done more there must be demand.

Very good first half. Murray faster at the breakdown than I’ve seen in a while. Owens took over captaincy without missing a beat and handing it to Biggar effectively who’s barking left right and centre in the cockpit. Henderson winning the lineout, and Aki/Henshaw going well in midfield. With the two wings on the scoresheet the only question mark I have is over Williams at 15.

Simon Thomas on Twitter saying both AWJ and Tipuric have suffered shoulder injuries. Make of that what you will.

A good smack in the chops for Williams there

What have the Welsh done to piss off the Japanese?

Williams now looks like Plug. That’s sorted it.

Henshaw tackling everywhere.

Both Lions centres putting down a marker

Well I'd rather the tmo come in if he has a doubt but what was he watching?!

Pascal doesn’t like those sort of knock-ons.

Another good try, Lions are proving themselves very physical

Or is it?

TightHEAD wrote:It's a shame about AWJ, I would still take him and he can do all the Media stuff

Depends on the injury, docs might not want him to fly long haul if it's a nasty break with swelling etc.

Desperately bad luck for him. Looked nasty, I think it'll be Lions on the TV for him. Hopefully it's not to bad and he can still tour.

Headline. Lawes nearly scores winner in Lions victory.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

TightHEAD wrote:It's a shame about AWJ, I would still take him and he can do all the Media stuff

Depends on the injury, docs might not want him to fly long haul if it's a nasty break with swelling etc.

Desperately bad luck for him. Looked nasty, I think it'll be Lions on the TV for him. Hopefully it's not to bad and he can still tour.

AWJ won't want to be there if he can't play

Gee wiz what a score by Beirne.

Get Farrell on we need to open this game up

Theres some really nice running lines coming but Japan look woeful at defending them.

A Tale of Two Tadghs there.

With the two recent fumbles, he was brave going for the showboating!

BigGee wrote:With the two recent fumbles, he was brave going for the showboating!

Indeed. And landed on his forearm.

Ball never touched the ground in goal. Won't get away with that in SA

Beirne is such a talented footballer, love watching him

Not bad so far as a first match, but still lots of 'meh'

Looks like a dislocated shoulder for AwJ...

Farrell comes on, but not at FH

Biggar is having a great game though, another one putting down a real marker

At last. The Squadron Leader is on the pitch.

Watching on the feed from Argentina and the Spanish language commentators are calling it very fair. Excited by the spectacle, but keep mentioning areas for Lions to improve. Good Rugby analysis.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Looks like a dislocated shoulder for AwJ...

If it is a shoulder, then he is not touring

BigGee wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:Looks like a dislocated shoulder for AwJ...

If it is a shoulder, then he is not touring

Yeah tour is over if its confirmed....but thats the reports coming from the medics...

Defence has gone a bit shambolic.

Japan plays entertaining rugby, but you also have to play the percentages in test rugby.

Yep. Getting very loose. Well done Japan.

Pot Hale wrote:Defence has gone a bit shambolic.  

The game is won, subs coming on, bound to break up a bit

Good for Japan to score though, they did not deserve to get nilled

BigGee wrote:Farrell comes on, but not at FH

Biggar is having a great game though, another one putting down a real marker

I rate Biggar very highly. I love his aggression and will to win.

They keep saying Farrell has it...but it's not a patch on Biggar.

I think Biggar plays well into the strategy of Gatland, and also how to play against SA, looking at the semi final in the RWC Wales’ tactical kicking was superb, that is what Biggar brings to the table. Plus he is solid in chasing his own up and unders as well.

Not quite sure what Adams is complaining about!

Surely has to be Russell come the tests though.

Henshaw defending superbly. Holds off and puts in the critical tackle to stop Japan. But his tendency to let arm go high occasionally in matches not as good.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Surely has to be Russell come the tests though.

Russell will likely get his chance to show his wares next weekend

Would you have Williams at 15 based on that display? Interesting to see which Stuart Hogg turns up when he joins squad.