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.

Soul Requiem wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

Soul Requiem wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:

PhilBB wrote:

LeinsterFan4life wrote:This Japanese squad cause quite a stir in Japan with the amount of journeymen "foreign" players selected, especially in the backs where Japan shouldn't have to rely foreign players for their bulk, like in the pack. Joseph was accused of selecting the heaviest squad he could in order to appease the Lions in their prep to face SA and when you see the likes of van den Heever and Gates, selected ahead of Japanese talent I can see why they were frustrated.

Mate, they are all Japanese

Stop with this ethnicity drivel.

You're right, Van den Heever always dreamt of playing for Japan when he signed as a project player for Munster...

Oh, you think nationality isn't a choice that you can make as an adult.

I feel sorry for people who think that way.

Drivel. So I can just decide to be Slovenian?

Ever heard of Aaron Cook?

Indeed, although it was a case that Moldova paid for his services. Not sure anyone is going to be calling him Moldovan*.

*assume that's the correct term.

Very little difference between 'Mancunian' and 'Moldovan'. To be fair British TKD did screw him over. He is the most fantastic fighter to watch - very aggressive in a sport which can favor defense and counter attacking.

I have no idea why someone like Aaron Cook comes into a rugby conversation. Or, indeed, why citizenship is an issue at all. Aside from the Olympics, you don't have to be a citizen of a country to play rugby for their national team.

The whole point, the WHOLE POINT, of residency qualification is to allow someone who is not a citizen of a country, to represent them at international rugby. If a player is a citizen, or has the right to be a citizen, then residency qualification is irrelevant.

Within the Home Nations, we have an additional conceit, where British passport holders are divided into English, Northerm Irish, Scottish and Welsh. It's an arbitrary rugby decision, as there is no current national legal definition of who falls where in that distinction.

Dan Biggar involved in a possible citing incident.

Dan Biggar could miss the Lions' warm-up clash with Japan if he is cited over a dangerous clear-out in Saints' victory at Franklin's Gardens.

Referee Adam Leal failed to act at the end of the contest when the Wales fly-half was clearly seen to strike Jacob Umaga in the head with a forearm at a ruck.

If he is cited, Bigger could be hit with a three- or six-week ban.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2021/05/29/dan-biggar-could-miss-lions-warm-up-clash-japan-cited-clear/

Rugby Fan wrote:Dan Biggar involved in a possible citing incident.

Dan Biggar could miss the Lions' warm-up clash with Japan if he is cited over a dangerous clear-out in Saints' victory at Franklin's Gardens.

Referee Adam Leal failed to act at the end of the contest when the Wales fly-half was clearly seen to strike Jacob Umaga in the head with a forearm at a ruck.

If he is cited, Bigger could be hit with a three- or six-week ban.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/2021/05/29/dan-biggar-could-miss-lions-warm-up-clash-japan-cited-clear/

These fly halves and their discipline problems...

Hoping that he gets off then! Not seen the incident but I don't want Gatland to be tempted by Smith.

He would only miss the Japan game though? The Lions do definitely need him.

Would be his typically bad luck. Don’t think Biggar has ever played a Lions test has he?

So let's assume that the Jeff playoffs are between (1) Bristol v Sale and (2) Exeter v Quins. 

Whom does that effectively rule out out the Japan game in that case?

Back of fag packet indicates Hogg, Cowan-Dickie, Hill, Curry and Simmonds. Doesn't seem very many.

Completely mad that there's not one Bristol player in the Lions squad too.

George Carlin wrote:So let's assume that the Jeff playoffs are between (1) Bristol v Sale and (2) Exeter v Quins. 

Whom does that effectively rule out out the Japan game in that case?

Back of fag packet indicates Hogg, Cowan-Dickie, Hill, Curry and Simmonds. Doesn't seem very many.

Completely mad that there's not one Bristol player in the Lions squad too.

Nor Dragons this time. Discusting

One player who will need game time is Lawes, he made his comeback against Wasps playing at 6, lasted 70 minutes, made 5 turnovers according to Boyd:

"the returning Courtney Lawes. Playing in a Saints jersey for the first time since December, the British and Irish Lion showed no rust in a typically destructive performance, securing five turnovers while also starting the break that led to a penalty try with a silky offload.

To come back and play 70 odd minutes, get five turnovers and get through that amount of work off the bat of not playing is just a testament to his mental attitude and also his physical resilience"

WELL-PAST-IT wrote:One player who will need game time is Lawes, he made his comeback against Wasps playing at 6, lasted 70 minutes, made 5 turnovers according to Boyd:

"the returning Courtney Lawes. Playing in a Saints jersey for the first time since December, the British and Irish Lion showed no rust in a typically destructive performance, securing five turnovers while also starting the break that led to a penalty try with a silky offload.

To come back and play 70 odd minutes, get five turnovers and get through that amount of work off the bat of not playing is just a testament to his mental attitude and also his physical resilience"

It was a pretty extraordinary performance. I thought he would go about 50 minutes, maybe a bit more if he was lucky. And he was working against a pretty good Wasps back row, too.

Lawes is a beast and if you don't want two opensides then he and Beirne are interchangeable at blindside for me.

GC, who would you suggest should be picked for the Lions from Bristol?
Yes, they are doing well, but the bulk of their players that make the difference are neither British or Irish.  

George Carlin wrote:So let's assume that the Jeff playoffs are between (1) Bristol v Sale and (2) Exeter v Quins. 

Whom does that effectively rule out out the Japan game in that case?

Back of fag packet indicates Hogg, Cowan-Dickie, Hill, Curry and Simmonds. Doesn't seem very many.

Completely mad that there's not one Bristol player in the Lions squad too.

Sinckler.

A reminder why Sinckler isn't touring.

Yes, lots of commentators have pointed out that Gats has picked technically good scrummagers over larger men or guys who are more impactful in the loose.

Sinckler is a class scrummager though that's what I don't get. And he's picked Vunipola who is probably the worst available scrummaging English loosehead.

Anyone have an updated on Chris Harris' hand injury from the weekend?

George Carlin wrote:Anyone have an updated on Chris Harris' hand injury from the weekend?

Nothing in the media about it

Hopefully no news is good news!

Ben Coles is usually pretty reliable and reckons he’ll be fine

https://twitter.com/bencoles_/status/1400106096338083840?s=12

BamBam wrote:Ben Coles is usually pretty reliable and reckons he’ll be fine

https://twitter.com/bencoles_/status/1400106096338083840?s=12

Good news for him, it would be awful to miss out even before getting on the plane.

Swings and roundabouts as Tuilagi could well have come in and if he's form he would be more than useful.

Farrell confirmed as joining up with the Lions now. A lot of coaches obviously not available but not ideal I wouldn't have though to join so late with presumably not much if any input before.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57342314

No 7&1/2 wrote:Swings and roundabouts as Tuilagi could well have come in and if he's form he would be more than useful.

Farrell confirmed as joining up with the Lions now. A lot of coaches obviously not available but not ideal I wouldn't have though to join so late with presumably not much if any input before.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/57342314

Glad to have Farrell on board, assume he's going as defence coach again. A little concerning that he won't be there until a little over a week before the first test though.

The coaches haven't been given defined roles from what I've seen mikey, all just 'supporting'. Can't see defence being handed over to Farrell as he comes in as as you point out not much time.

Can't see what input he can have, so late. It'll be Tandy's system by then, so for Farrell to come in seems a little pointless.

They already have a defence coach, Tandy

I think he will be Gat's general assistant snd will be auditioning fof the head coach role next time around

BigGee wrote:

I think he will be Gat's general assistant and will be auditioning for the head coach role next time around

That is the more likely scenario aye.

https://twitter.com/WelshDalaiLama/status/1400787698483302411

Some footage has finally emerged of the infamous AWJ Black eye incident in the 6N

They were really going at it!

It was good, to be fair. Ball certainly seems pretty heavy handed.

BigGee wrote:https://twitter.com/WelshDalaiLama/status/1400787698483302411

Some footage has finally emerged of the infamous AWJ Black eye incident in the 6N

They were really going at it!

Cheeky....there's certainly some issue between the two? Imagine if this was football! We'd never hear the end of it.

I’m curious to know what it was about too... Perhaps Ball had a list of things to do before he left Wales;

1. Put in cheap shot on Faf de Klerk
2. Punch AWJ

Haha...it's some bucket list.....not one I would fancy.

I read that AWJ was angry at someone collapsing a maul, blamed Ball, got into a scrap, but it was someone else who collapsed the maul and who then hid or didn’t own up immediately! I heard they made up pretty quickly afterwards in front of the squad. Just normal training ground stuff. Pretty common. Remember one of the Living with the Lions dvds where there were a few scraps during live scrum training (Barry Williams was one from memory? 1997?).

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/jake-ball-lifts-lid-wales-20704436.amp

Here you go. Rhys Carre ‘melted into the background’ and left Ball to cop the blame!

The Oracle wrote:https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/jake-ball-lifts-lid-wales-20704436.amp

Here you go. Rhys Carre ‘melted into the background’ and left Ball to cop the blame!

Probably a smart move on his part

One week to go.......... :-)

I heard Jamie Roberts on a podcast saying Japan would have an advantage, as they have played together, while the Lions haven't.

The Japanese national team hasn't played a Test match since the 2019 World Cup. Everyone talks up the Springboks lack of Test rugby. That goes just as much for Japan. They did play a game last week against a reconstituted Sunwolves side, which was a good hit out but no substitute for a Test match.

Rugby Fan wrote:I heard Jamie Roberts on a podcast saying Japan would have an advantage, as they have played together, while the Lions haven't.

The Japanese national team hasn't played a Test match since the 2019 World Cup. Everyone talks up the Springboks lack of Test rugby. That goes just as much for Japan. They did play a game last week against a reconstituted Sunwolves side, which was a good hit out but no substitute for a Test match.

Didn't bother Argentina against the ABs in their first formal game since Covid. Yes, they blew their wad by the second AB match, but they also drew against the Wallabies twice. Not bad for no Rugby in over a year.

Our guys are the top pros in our islands, and some are the best in the world. And the Boks also have some of the best pros in the world. For both sides, just figure it out and go play. There is some measure of truth in it, but enough already. I find it annoying to build in excuses for some of the best players in the world (ours and theirs) before they even suit up. I am hoping for a bang on series (yes, with the Lions winning this one). But still occasionally watch replays of the second test from the last Lions visit to SA as one of the better games I have seen....

First Lions team out today. 11am. Little hope that Daly can be tried ay 13 and discounted early as the Saracens have just joined up after the weekend. That said George is likely to be on the bench as one of only 2 'properly' selected hookers. Conditions are likely to be better than last times warm up in Hong King though so some players may be able to lay down an early marker.

I'd go for:

1 Sutherland (needs gametime as been injured for months)
2 Owens
3 Furlong
4 AWJ
5 Lawes (see Sutherland)
6 Bierne
7 Watson
8 Faletau

9 Murray
10 Biggar
11 VDM
12 Henshaw
13 Harris
14 LRZ (start him early to help the nerves)
15 Williams

Subs - Vunipola, George, Fagerson, Henderson, Tupiric, Price, Russell, Watson

That bench gives the opportunity to mix up the units - Price and Russell sticking together off the bench for familiarity to start with.

Was a little surprised, when I saw they were announcing the team today. Thought I had lost a few days and it was Thursday.

Very excited for it though.

Here you go, from the Lions site:

British & Irish Lions head coach, Warren Gatland, has named his side to take on Japan at BT Murrayfield Stadium on Saturday 26 June (kick off 3pm) for The Vodafone Lions 1888 Cup.

16,500 supporters will be welcomed to Scottish Rugby’s national stadium in Edinburgh for the first-ever clash between the Lions and the Brave Blossoms.

The game against the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-finalists will be shown live and exclusively on Channel 4 and raises the curtain for the Lions’ eagerly awaited Tour to South Africa, which culminates in a three Test series against Rugby World Cup champions, the Springboks.

“We’re anticipating a tough game against Japan – a side that like to play at a high-tempo and shift the ball,” said Gatland.

“We saw throughout the World Cup they have attacking threats across the park and a solid defence and set piece.

“I’m pleased with the progress we’ve made during our training camp in Jersey so far, but we’ve a long way to go. You can see that the squad are starting to get to grips with our game strategies, but, as always with a Lions Tour, this takes time to bed in.

“We’re in a good place though and I can tell there’s a lot more to come from this group.

“Everyone in the squad will get a start before the start of the Test Series, so each member of the squad can put their hand up for Test selection.

“We are absolutely delighted to be playing in front of sixteen thousand supporters in Edinburgh. I’m sure the crowd will give the players an enormous lift before we depart for South Africa on Sunday.”

The Lions’ eight-game Tour to South Africa kicks off on Saturday 3 July when they play the Emirates Lions at Emirates Airline Park in Johannesburg. Three weeks later, Cape Town Stadium will host the opening Test match of the 2021 Castle Lager Lions Series – the first Lions Test in the Mother City since 1997. The British and Irish tourists then return to Gauteng and play the second and third Tests at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday 31 July and 8 August respectively.

Starting XV

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
9. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790
1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
2. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
4. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
5. Alun Wyn Jones – Captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
6. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
8. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

Replacements:

Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816

No English starters at all.

Interesting

For reference

Starters

6 Irish 5 Welsh 4 Scots

Subs
4 English 2 Welsh 1 Irish 1 Scot

lostinwales wrote:No English starters at all.

Interesting

For reference

Starters

6 Irish 5 Welsh 4 Scots

Subs
4 English 2 Welsh 1 Irish 1 Scot

Saving the best til later

The Oracle wrote:

lostinwales wrote:No English starters at all.

Interesting

For reference

Starters

6 Irish 5 Welsh 4 Scots

Subs
4 English 2 Welsh 1 Irish 1 Scot

Saving the best til later

Oh I do appreciate that this isn't the final team by any means- and only Bundee Aki feels out of place. We don't seem to have many decent options for 12 though.

There's a few default options at present before the whole squad is together. We'll have to readopt Hamish Watson for this one. Surprised Farrell is there, as would have thought Russel would have been released earlier?

No 7&1/2 wrote:There's a few default options at present before the whole squad is together. We'll have to readopt Hamish Watson for this one. Surprised Farrell is there, as would have thought Russel would have been released earlier?

Why not just adopt them all? You might enjoy it more then! I just see them all as Lions now, rather than counting up the representation of individual nations.

Most of the English contingent was not in camp. The Sarries contingent, Sinckler and T Curry will have only finished up on Saturday. Cowan-Dickie, Hill and Simmonds will still be at Exeter.

George and Farrell likely only getting on the bench as Cowan Dickie is away and Russell only finished up on Friday himself.

Watson and Lawes were the only ones not involved in club playoffs, and both made the bench.

The Oracle wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:There's a few default options at present before the whole squad is together. We'll have to readopt Hamish Watson for this one. Surprised Farrell is there, as would have thought Russel would have been released earlier?

Why not just adopt them all?  You might enjoy it more then!  I just see them all as Lions now, rather than counting up the representation of individual nations.

Because it's a tongue in cheek comment Oracle, based on no English starters but alluding to Watson being born in England. I generally do enjoy rugby hence why I watch it.

lostinwales wrote:

The Oracle wrote:

lostinwales wrote:No English starters at all.

Interesting

For reference

Starters

6 Irish 5 Welsh 4 Scots

Subs
4 English 2 Welsh 1 Irish 1 Scot

Saving the best til later

Oh I do appreciate that this isn't the final team by any means- and only Bundee Aki feels out of place. We don't seem to have many decent options for 12 though.

23 Lions .

It's a shame North got injured. I genuinely feel Henshaw at 12 with North at 13 would have dominated their opposition.