Jamie Joseph recalls World Cup stalwart for Japan's clash against France

Japan coach Jamie Joseph has recalled World Cup stalwart Wimpie van der Walt to his second row for Saturday’s rugby test against France at Toyota Stadium as he looks to match the Six Nations champions at the set piece.

There were six changes to the team that routed Uruguay 43-7 last weekend as halfback Naoto Saito, hooker Shota Horie and fullback Ryuji Noguchi withdrew from the squad due to being in “poor condition”, the Japan Rugby Football Union said.

South African-born winger Gerhard van den Heever keeps his starting spot after scoring a try on debut against Uruguay at the age of 33 last week.

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 20

Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 20

Hooker Atsushi Sakate will lead the team for the second time in the first of two tests against the French, while Takuya Yamasawa will again run the backline from flyhalf.

“The first thing we have to do is match their set piece, or better it,” Joseph said in a news release.

“They’re very strong in the line out and at scrum time and they play a power game. This is what France will bring to the match, and we’ve got to be able to handle that.

“Our game plan will be to keep the ball in play and attack them at every opportunity, while being mindful that we need to strike the right balance and understand that the heat is going to play a big part.”

Japan have never beaten France but drew 23-23 with the three times World Cup finalists in Nanterre the last time they met in 2017.

Japan: 15-Ryohei Yamanaka, 14-Gerhard Van Den Heever, 13-Dylan Riley, 12-Shogo Nakano, 11-Siosaia Fifita, 10-Takuya Yamasawa, 9-Kaito Shigeno, 8-Tevita Tatafu, 7-Ben Gunter, 6-Michael Leitch, 5-Jack Cornelsen, 4-Wimpie van der Walt, 3-Asaeli Ai Valu, 2-Atsushi Sakate, 1-Keita Inagaki.

Replacements: 16-Daigo Hashimoto, 17-Yukio Morikawa, 18-Shinnosuke Kakinaga, 19-Warner Dearns, 20-Faulua Makisi, 21-Daiki Nakajima, 22-Lee Seung-Shin, 23-Taichi Takahashi.