University star's breakout continues in Japan team for Ireland

Having steered Japan to a famous victory against Italy last week, 21-year-old Ryunosuke Ito is back at No.10 for his country against Ireland.

The University star has just two games of professional rugby to his name, having emerged from an exhibition match against the Maori All Blacks two weeks ago as one of the most exciting Japanese prospects in recent memory, and backed that up with more sparkling play against the Italians.

Now, the mercurial playmaker has turned his attention to Ireland, with Japan seeking another strong performance as an honorary member of the southern hemisphere in the Nations Championship’s north vs south format.

The young flyhalf will again have the support of Takuro Matsunaga, the Nations Championship’s leading points-scorer, at fullback, and Naoto Saito, who delivered two try assists last week, at halfback. Yuya Hirose and Dylan Riley make up the midfield, with Taira Main and Kazuma Ueda on the wings.

Brave Blossoms captain Warner Dearns is joined again by Harry Hockings in the second row, with Takato Okabe, Mamoru Harada and Shuhei Takeuchi up front. The back row features Ben Gunter, Kanji Shimokawa and the versatile Jack Cornelson.

The immense experience of 37-year-old Michael Leitch leads a bench unit of Hayate Era, Sojiro Otsuka, Keijiro Tamefusa, Michael Stolberg, Tiennan Costley, Itsuki Kamimura and Sam Greene.

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

1

Draws

0

Wins

4

Average Points scored

19

33

First try wins

80%

Home team wins

60%

Japan team to play Ireland

1. Takato Okabe
2. Mamoru Harada
3. Shuhei Takeuchi
4. Harry Hockings
5. Warner Dearns
6. Ben Gunter
7. Kanji Shimokawa
8. Jack Cornelsen
9. Naoto Saito
10. Ryunosuke Ito
11. Taira Main
12. Yuya Hirose
13. Dylan Riley
14. Kazuma Ueda
15. Takuro Matsunaga

Replacements

16. Hayate Era
17. Sojiro Otsuka
18. Keijiro Tamefusa
19. Michael Stolberg
20. Michael Leitch
21. Tiennan Costley
22. Itsuki Kamimura
23. Sam Greene