Former All Blacks quartet Vaea Fifita, Augustine Pulu, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Salesi Piutau are all set to start for Tonga on Saturday against Ireland in Nantes.
A 14-man Tonga side secured a 28-3 rugby victory over Canada, despite losing George Moala to a red card for a dangerous tackle.
Japan have made six changes as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s home loss to Samoa with this Saturday’s clash against Tonga.
Josua Tuisova will line up in the midfield opposite former All Black Malakai Fekitoa for one of many mouthwatering matchups.
Tonga boss Toutai Kefu has named a star-studded 35-man squad for his team’s July fixtures in the run-up to the 2023 Rugby World Cup, a selection that includes former Wallabies lock Adam Coleman.
Tonga will be without star internationals Israel Folau, Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau for their World Cup playoff against Hong Kong on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Tonga's all-star trio have all been excluded by the 'Ikale Tahi for the second match running as the Pacific Nations Cup comes to an end.
Tonga have made eight changes to their starting line-up to play Samoa this weekend following last week’s disappointing 36-0 loss to Fiji in Suva in the Pacific Nations Cup.
Israel Folau will return to test rugby for the first time since 2019 when Tonga take on Fiji in the Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday - and he'll be joined by former All Blacks Salesi 'Charles' Piutau and Malakai Fekitoa.
Crusaders flanker Sione Havili Talitui has been added to the Tonga squad ahead of their Pacific Nations Cup campaign and World Cup qualifier next month.