Michael Leitch named captain of Japanese Rugby World Cup squad

Michael Leitch who has links to Fiji has been named as the captain of the Japanese team for the Rugby World Cup.

Japanese coach Jamie Joseph says the team has set a goal of making the top eight for the first time in their history.

The team is on a high after their win in the Pacific Nations Cup.

Japan takes on Russia in the first match of the World Cup on the 20th of September at 10.45pm.

Currently ranked ninth in the world, Japan will also face Ireland, Scotland and Samoa in Pool A as they target a place in the knockout stage for the first time.

Japan Rugby World Cup Squad:

Keita Inagaki

Yusuke Kizu

Koo Ji‑won

Isileli Nakajima

Asaeli Ai Valu

Takuya Kitade

Atsushi Sakata

Shota Horie

Luke Thompson

Wimpie van der Walt

Uwe Helu

James Moore

Hendrik Tui

Yoshitaka Tokunaga

Michael Leitch (captain)

Pieter Labuschagne

Kazuki Himeno

Amanaki Mafi

Kaito Shigeno

Fumiaki Tanaka

Yutaka Nagare

Yu Tamura

Rikiya Matsuda

Kenki Fukuoka

Ataata Moeakiola

Lomano Lemeki

William Tupou

Ryoto Nakamura

Timothy Lafaele

Kotaro Matsushima

Ryohei Yamanaka

Source: Japan Times

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