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Players to Watch as Japan name squad for Rugby World Cup
Japan head coach Lesley McKenzie has picked the 32 Japanese players who will be heading to England this summer for the Rugby World Cup.
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The Sakura will face Ireland, New Zealand, and Spain in Pool C, and they are looking to deliver something special to their fans.
Veteran back row Seina Saito, who has recovered from a serious injury, made it back in time and will play in her third World Cup. On the opposing end, 20-year-old trailblazer Matsumura Misaki will be the youngest World Cup squad member, in what has been a speedy ascension for the wing.
Captain Iroha Nagata, scrum half Megumi Abe, prop Sachiko Kato, wing Komachi Imakugi, and utility back Ayasa Otsuka are some of the other main protagonists of the Sakura ensemble.
McKenzie shared her thoughts about the team selection in the official press conference ahead of the World Cup announcement.
“I’m immensely proud to announce this squad. It’s been three years since this World Cup cycle began and thanks to the support of the JRFU, the new competitions from World Rugby and the work, dedication and passion of the players and staff, we’re a very different team than when we set out three years ago.
“The challenge that lies ahead is a little more familiar, yet it’s no less exciting. It’s starting to get very tangible as we leave next week for the Italy warm-up.”
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Japan Rugby World Cup squad:
Sachiko KATO
Wako KITANO
Hinata KOMAKI
Nijiho NAGATA
Miharu MACHIDA
Manami MINE
Asuka KUGE
Ayumu KOKAJI
Kotomi TANIGUCHI
Ayano SAKURAI
Yuna SATO
Otoka YOSHIMURA
Masami KAWAMURA
Seina SAITO
Iroha NAGATA (C)
Kyoko HOSOKAWA
Jennifer NDUKA
Megumi ABE
Moe TSUKUI
Ayasa OTSUKA
Minori YAMAMOTO
CNao ANDO
Kanako KOBAYASHI
Sakurako HATADA
Mana FURUTA
Haruka HIROTSU
Komachi IMAKUGI
Mele Yua Havili KAGAWA
Misaki MATSUMURA
Sora NISHIMURA
Rinka MATSUDA
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