Eddie Jones has selected 41 players to compete in the Asian Five Nations as well as the revamped Pacific Nations Cup, including a recall for World Cup star Kosuke Endo.
With a busy test schedule lined up that also includes two tests against Wales, Jones has opted for experience, as well as a couple interesting newcomers. All three Super Rugby squad members – Shota Horie, Michael Leitch and Fumiaki Tanaka – have been included, as well as vastly experienced second rowers Toshizumi Kitagawa, Luke Thompson, and former captain Hitoshi Ono. The inclusion of New Zealand born forwards Justin Ives and Michael Broadhurst as back row options highlights a strategy of added height at the lineout and bulk in the back row.
Two new selections are those of centres Male Sa’u and Craig Wing, both of whom qualify on residency grounds. Sa’u was a late withdrawal from the Samoan squad for last year’s tournament and is rated highly enough to displace Ryan Nicholas. Former rugby league international Wing was courted by the Philippines, for whom he is also qualified, but has opted instead to represent the Cherry Blossoms. At 33 years of age he is no spring chicken and his selection is a bit curious given the presence of Sa’u and exciting youngster Harumichi Tatekawa.
Selection on the wing should prove interesting as Endo has been recalled for the first time since the World Cup, yet finds himself behind incumbents Hirotoki Onozawa and captain Toshiaki Hirose, the youngest of the three at 31. It’s not often one finds wingers of that age in international sides, though all three appear to have retained their fitness and much of their speed.
The Asian Five Nations takes place between April 20 and May 18, with Hong Kong, the Philippines, South Korea, and the UAE rounding out the competition.
The newly revised Pacific Nations Cup roster will include Canada, the United States, Fiji, and Tonga. It kicks off May 25 and concludes June 23.
Wales tour Japan in June with tests coming on June 8 in Osaka and June 15 in Tokyo.
*revised depth chart here
**statistics as of March 1
