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Eddie Jones has made seven changes in all to the run-on side that defeated Uruguay 30-8 in the first match in Fukuoka. The second test takes place at Tokyo and will be the last home match for the Brave Blossoms, and the last opportunity for players to impress before the final World Cup squad is announced on August 31.
Two changes come in the tight five, with Kensuke Hatakeyama taking over from Hiroshi Yamashita at tighthead, and Luke Thompson starting at lock in place of Shoji Ito. Michael Broadhurst wears the no7 jersey with Hayden Hopgood moved to the bench in the only other change to the pack.
First choice scrumhalf Fumiaki Tanaka replaces Atsushi Hiwasa at scrumhalf, and Craig Wing starts in the midfield for the first time in nearly two years in what could be his last test for Japan if he fails to make the World Cup squad. Both wingers are changed this week, with Kenki Fukuoka lining up on the left, and Kotaro Matsushima on the right.
The bench sees the timely return from injury of big second row Shinya Makabe, who makes his first test appearance since last November. Lastly Takeshi Kizu is selected as reserve hooker, with Hiroki Yuhara dropping out of the match day squad.
The game will be a welcome distraction for the Japanese rugby union, who have come under fire during the week from the media after reportedly having both their Super Rugby franchise and World Cup hosting rights revoked. Coach Jones also announced that he would be leaving Japan after the World Cup to take over the Stormers in Cape Town, South Africa.
JAPAN
1 Masataka Mikami 2 Shota Horie 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama 4 Luke Thompson 5 Hitoshi Ono 6 Michael Leitch (capt.) 7 Michael Broadhurst 8 Hendrik Tui 9 Fumiaki Tanaka 10 Kosei Ono 11 Kenki Fukuoka 12 Craig Wing 13 Male Sa’u 14 Kotaro Matsushima 15 Ayumu Goromaru
16 Takayuki Watanabe 17 Takeshi Kizu 18 Hiroshi Yamashita 19 Shinya Makabe 20 Hayden Hopgood 21 Atsushi Hiwasa 22 Harumichi Tatekawa 23 Karne Hesketh
