This weekend offers up the first round of the reformed Pacific Nations Cup while fan-favorites the Barbarians take on England. A great way to kick off the next few weeks!

JAPAN vs TONGA
Saturday, May 25, 05:00 GMT, Yokohama

Japan will look to continue the momentum from their predictable but efficient title victory in the Asian 5 Nations. Captain Toshiaki Hirose is injured and replaced by promising teenager Yoshikazu Fujita, while bruising back rower Takashi Kikutani steps up to fill the familiar captaincy role.

The forward pack has an unusually bulky look to it, with imposing New Zealander Michael Broadhurst lining up at openside among other big bodies. The Super Rugby trio of Fumiaki Tanaka, Michael Leitch, and Shota Horie are yet to join the squad but it remains an impressive lineup.

The Ikale Tahi feature two uncapped props in Melbourne Rebels loosehead Eddie Aholelei and ITM Cup starter Taione Vea at tighthead, while a powerful centre combination sees Siale Piutau return alongside France-based Sione Piukala. The first choice halfback pairing of Taniela Moa and Kurt Morath are on the bench that also features another new cap, North Harbour back rower Viliami Fihaki.

Though man for man the Tongans look well capable of taking it, home field advantage and team cohesion heavily favour the Cherry Blossoms. Expect some fireworks early from the physical south sea midfield, but the sustained pace of the Japanese attack should be too much as Japan takes a close victory by 7 points.

JAPAN
Ayumu Goromaru; Yoshikazu Fujita, Male Sa’u, Harumichi Tatekawa, Hirotoki Onozawa; Kosei Ono, Atsushi Hiwasa; Masataka Mikami, Takeshi Kizu, Hiroshi Yamashita; Hitoshi Ono, Shinya Makabe; Hendrik Tui, Michael Broadhurst, Takashi Kikutani (capt.). RES: Yusuke Aoki, Takuma Asahara, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shoji Ito, Ryuta Yasui, Keisuke Uchida, Yu Tamura, Kenki Fukuoka.

TONGA
Tevita Halaifonua; Fetu’u Vainikolo, Siale Piutau, Sione Piukala, Viliami Helu; Fangatapu Apikotoa, Tomasi Palu; Eddie Aholelei, Elvis Taione, Taione Vea; Josh Afu, Lua Lokotui; Hale T-Pole, Nili Latu (capt.), Paula Kaho. RES: Ilaisa Ma’asi, Kamaliele Sakalia, Peni Fakalelu, Emosi Kauhenga, Viliami Fihaki, Taniela Moa, Kurt Morath, Viliame Iongi.

CANADA vs UNITED STATES
Saturday, May 25, 20:00 GMT, Edmonton

Originally intended to be a non-cap international, the game has been elevated to full test status despite the absence of several first choice players for both sides due to injury and professional commitments. Canada have home field advantage, which is usually fairly telling, but with bad weather expected and missing nearly their entire first choice backline, this one should come down to the wire.

Patrick Parfrey makes his debut at centre after impressing in November’s ARC tournament, while Cameron Pierce and Liam Underwood are set to win their first caps from the bench. Aaron Carpenter continues as captain and will hope to inspire the troops alongside Sevens star John Moonlight, who starts in the number 7 jersey for the first time. Harry Jones will hope his second cap lasts considerably longer than his ill-fated opening against Russia.

The Americans are led once again by Todd Clever, who completes a somewhat lightweight back row with two more natural opensides in John Quill and Peter Dahl. Successful November halfback pair Robbie Shaw and Toby L’Estrange will look to continue their international form, and Auckland native Adam Siddall wins his first cap at fullback. Five more debutants are on the bench in Tom Coolican, Nick Wallace, Liam Murphy, Chris Saint, and Seamus Kelly.

The disruption in selection and lack of preparation time should hamper both sides, which combined with the predicted weather could make this one a bit of a snoozer. Expect mistakes, very conservative play, and lots of set pieces. Canada have a slight edge in the pack but much will depend on how much influence Eagle lighthouse Brian Doyle has at the lineout. Expect the home side to take this by the slightest of margins, Canada by 3.

CANADA
Connor Braid; Ciaran Hearn, Nick Blevins, Patrick Parfrey, Taylor Paris; Harry Jones, Sean White; Hubert Buydens, Ray Barkwill, Jason Marshall; Brett Beukeboom, Tyler Hotson; Tyler Ardron, John Moonlight, Aaron Carpenter (capt.). RES: Ryan Hamilton, Doug Wooldridge, Andrew Tiedemann, Jon Phelan, Cameron Pierce, Nanyak Dala, Phil Mack, Liam Underwood.

UNITED STATES
Adam Siddall; Luke Hume, Troy Hall, Andrew Suniula, James Paterson; Toby L’Estrange, Robbie Shaw; Shawn Pittman, Zach Fenoglio, Eric Fry; Brian Doyle, Louis Stanfill; Peter Dahl, John Quill, Todd Clever (capt.). RES: Tom Coolican, Phil Thiel, Nick Wallace, Graham Harriman, Liam Murphy, Chris Saint, Seamus Kelly, Blaine Scully.

ENGLAND vs BARBARIANS
Sunday, May 26, 12:00 GMT, London

On to Twickenham for what should be an exciting match between an experimental England side and the ever-engaging Barbarians. Only Mike Brown remains from the Six Nations backline for England, and yet one could make a very reasonable argument that this group offers far more on attack than their seniors.

Rob Webber captains the side for the first time and has the support of Bath clubmates David Wilson and David Attwood in a strong tight five that also sees the return to England colours of Alex Corbisiero and Ben Morgan. Award-winning Christian Wade will look to continue his rich vein of form, and the similarly gifted Marland Yarde completes a very exciting wing duo.

The Barbarians will be led out by former England stalwart Mike Tindall, and feature two pulsating gasmen themselves in France-based duo Takudzwa Ngwenya and Timoci Nagusa. Former France legend Imanol Harinodoquy returns to the international arena for the first time in over a year, and it’s been twice as long for Welsh exile Dwayne Peel. Twelve nations in all are represented, including popular Hong Kong winger Rowan Varty in the reserves.

This promises to be a high scoring affair, and both sides should contribute some memorable tries. The Barbarians boast an impressive list of veterans, but the ambition of this young English side should be the focal point of the match. Expect champagne rugby and a 14 point win for the hosts.

ENGLAND
Mike Brown; Christian Wade, Jonathan Joseph, Billy Twelvetrees, Marland Yarde; Freddie Burns, Richard Wigglesworth; Alex Corbisiero, Rob Webber (capt.), David Wilson; Joe Launchbury, David Attwood; Tom Johnson, Matt Kvesic, Ben Morgan. RES: David Paice, Joe Marler, Henry Thomas, Kearnan Myall, Billy Vunipola, Haydn Thomas, Kyle Eastmond, Jonny May.

BARBARIANS
Elliot Daly; Timoci Nagusa, Casey Laulala, Mike Tindall (capt.), Takudzwa Ngwenya; James Hook, Dwayne Peel; Andrea Lo Cicero, Matthew Rees, James Johnston; Jim Hamilton, Marco Wentzel; Alessandro Zanni, Jonathan Poff, Imanol Harinordoquy. RES: Schalk Brits, Duncan Jones, Paul James, Dean Mumm, Sam Jones, Dimitri Yachvili, Stephen Jones, Rowan Varty.