British & Irish Lions vs Japan, 26 June

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BRITISH & IRISH LIONS v JAPAN
Saturday 26th June
3:00pm KO
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Channel 4 Live

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère
Assistant Referees: Romain Poite, Pierre Brousset
TMO: Eric Gauzins

TEAMS:

BRITISH & IRISH LIONS:

15. Liam Williams (Scarlets, Wales) #833
14. Josh Adams (Cardiff Rugby, Wales)
13. Robbie Henshaw (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #824
12. Bundee Aki (Connacht Rugby, Ireland)
11. Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
10. Dan Biggar (Northampton Saints, Wales) #821
09. Conor Murray (Munster Rugby, Ireland) #790

01. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland)
02. Ken Owens (Scarlets, Wales) #829
03. Tadhg Furlong (Leinster Rugby, Ireland) #818
04. Iain Henderson (Ulster Rugby, Ireland) #808
05. Alun Wyn Jones – Captain (Ospreys, Wales) #761
06. Tadhg Beirne (Munster Rugby, Ireland)
07. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys, Wales) #786
08. Jack Conan (Leinster Rugby, Ireland)

16. Jamie George (Saracens, England) #819
17. Wyn Jones (Scarlets, Wales)
18. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, England) #814
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, England) #826
20. Taulupe Faletau (Bath Rugby, Wales) #779
21. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors, Scotland)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, England) #780
23. Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, England) #816

JAPAN:

15. Ryohei YAMANAKA
14. Kotaro MATSUSHIMA
13. Timothy LAFAELE
12. Ryoto NAKAMURA
11. Siosaia FIFITA
10. Yu TAMURA
09. Kaito SHIGENO

08. Amanaki Lelei MAFI
07. Pieter LABUSCHAGNE
06. Michael LEITCH (c)
05. James MOORE
04. Wimpie VAN DER WALT
03. Jiwon KOO
02. Atsushi SAKATE
01. Keita INAGAKI

16. Kosuke HORIKOSHI
17. Craig MILLAR
18. Asaeli Ai VALU
19. Jack CORNELSEN
20. Kazuki HIMENO
21. Tevita TATAFU
22. Naoto SAITO
23. Rikiya MATSUDA

COMMENTARY:

Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has named 21 uncapped players in a 52-man training squad – his first squad announcement since the 2019 World Cup – ahead of the nation’s historic clash with the British and Irish Lions in June. The Brave Blossoms are scheduled to face the Lions at Murrayfield in Edinburgh on June 26 in what will be the first-ever clash between the two sides.

Joseph has called on a mix of his 2019 World Cup stars, uncapped players, homegrown talent and foreign imports to prepare for the match. 21 members of the World Cup squad, such as standout wing Kotaro Matsushima and captain Michael Leitch, have been recalled back into the training camp.

18 of those players were part of the match day side that featured in Japan’s first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance in Tokyo two years ago, a match the Brave Blossoms lost 26-3 to eventual champions South Africa.

Among the cohort of uncapped prospects included in Joseph’s enlarged squad, there are a raft of names that will be familiar to Super Rugby fans.

Former Highlanders prop Craig Millar, who moved to Japan to join the Sunwolves in 2018, is one such player, as are ex-Blues lock Liaki Moli. The pair join the likes of former Hurricanes lock Mark Abbott, ex-Southern Kings midfielder Shane Gates and experienced outside back Gerhard van den Heever as uncapped foreigners who have completed residency requirements in order to become eligible for Japan.

All five players have subsequently been named in Joseph’s squad, as have three Australian youngsters – Dylan Riley, Jack Cornelsen and Ben Gunter – who are all one step closer to switching their allegiance to Japan.

Other notable uncapped players to have earned selection include those who have starred in the domestic Top League competition.

Tongan-born Kobelco Steelers No 8 Lui Naeata, who stands at 1.93m and 118kg, has been a dominant force for the reigning Top League champions since joining the club in 2018. As a result, the 27-year-old has been handed a maiden call-up to the national side and will compete with Highlanders star Kazuki Himeno, Canon Eagles powerhouse Amanaki Mafi and Suntory Sungoliath behemoth Tevita Tatafu for a place at the back of the scrum.

Likewise, halfback Naoto Saito has been in fine form while working in tandem with Beauden Barrett as halves partners at Suntory Sungoliath this season, and the 23-year-old is one of three scrumhalves in line for a potential test debut.

Based on the performances he has seen throughout the Top League this season, Joseph said he was “excited” for his side’s chances in the upcoming fixture, even if it has been 18 months since Japan last played a test match.

“It’s been a long time coming since our last squad announcement and I am very excited about our upcoming challenge against the British and Irish Lions,” he said in a statement.

“It will be a very special occasion for the team to play the Lions for the first time ever. Announcing this squad is the first step in our preparation.

“The 2021 Top League has produced some great team performances and the competition between the teams is a lot closer than past years which is great for the development of the game in Japan.”

Joseph added the Lions clash presents his uncapped players with a chance to prove their worth on the test scene following the departures of former senior players.

Two days after the announcement of the final squad to travel to the Scottish capital, the selected players will assemble for a 12-day training camp in Beppu, Oita between May 26 and June 8.

The Brave Blossoms will then play a warm-up match against a Sunwolves select in Shizuoka on June 12 before flying out to Scotland on June 16.

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Agree completely. For me. at least, comparing Smith to Cipriani or Russell is just about a comparison of style of play. And in that sense is reasonable to do. Smith is still a developing project and hasn't had his international chances to grow and improve his game. Hopefully he has plays this summer and makes a strong case for an England jersey for the future.

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

flyhalffactory wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

Just wait until I get started on the best 7's in the Prem .

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland :).

That argument was looking shaky after Quins won all four matches against Saints and Bath this season with an aggregate points difference of +62, and it dated quite badly last Saturday as well.

The Scots are dropping like flies!

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

5th !!!!!

Doesn't watch much Premiership rugby then.

TightHEAD wrote:The Scots are dropping like flies!

It's the heat!

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

The thing I respect about you is that you always say it as you see it.

Might not match what anybody else sees....

Ioan Lloyd could be a special player in a couple of years time. Another one where you hope someone decides what his position is and stocks to it rather than forever used as a utility.

As far as talent goes, Lloyd for me is the pick of the four. I would prefer he be a fly-half, and back-up option at 15. His goal-kicking will need to improve though.

Poorfour wrote:

mikey_dragon wrote:

RDW wrote:Wait, are we really comparing an un-capped 22 year old with a 55 time capped International?

Marcus Smith is an incredible talent and probably a star of the future, but let's see him replicate it at international level first before we make him starting Lions 10!

Marcus Smith is probably 5th best fly-half in the premiership. He sits behind Dan Biggar, Callum Sheedy, Ioan Lloyd and Rhys Priestland .

That argument was looking shaky after Quins won all four matches against Saints and Bath this season with an aggregate points difference of +62, and it dated quite badly last Saturday as well.

Don't you start messing about with comments about Saints now, mate. In his matches against the Pride of Northamptonshire, Saints were simply helping his professional development.....

[quote="doctor_grey"]

Poorfour wrote:
Don't you start messing about with comments about Saints now, mate.  In his matches against the Pride of Northamptonshire, Saints were simply helping his professional development.....

And very kind of them to do so, but I think he probably needs a bit more resistance from the opposition for that.

Poorfour wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:

Poorfour wrote:
Don't you start messing about with comments about Saints now, mate.  In his matches against the Pride of Northamptonshire, Saints were simply helping his professional development.....

And very kind of them to do so, but I think he probably needs a bit more resistance from the opposition for that.

That's probably true.  I'm sure we will do better next time.  Can't do worse....

OP updated. All these bloody jocks getting injured.

George Carlin wrote:OP updated. All these bloody jocks getting injured.

It's the damn Haggis. Always gets you in the end (so to speak).

doctor_grey wrote:

George Carlin wrote:OP updated. All these bloody jocks getting injured.

It's the damn Haggis.  Always gets you in the end (so to speak).

Zander plays for Glasgow so fried chocolate, heroin and existential despair must also be considered as value inhibitors.

Matsoshima almost skinned VDM there, in the end he made a good tackle

Jones looks in trouble. Possible break the way he's holding his wrist.

AWJ is down with what may be a broken wrist

Jones looks in trouble. Possible break the way he's holding his wrist.

The look on his face, he knows he is done!

Itoje to take over as Captain or Farrell?

Kicking and choke tackles. It’s like watching Ireland. Boring stuff.

Farrell to be captain now, I think. Itoje would be a good choice too. Both guaranteed starters.

Pick the team. Then the captain.

Nice finish from Adams.

Hopeless Ref. How/why is he still an international ref?

Great try from Josh Adams following some great forward momentum

Aki showing why he is in the squad!

Sad to see. Think it’s nailed on for one of those options. I would’ve suggested it’ll be Farrell next in line, but you never know.

If he is out (and it doesn’t look great), I wonder if Gatland will call up a back rower or lock. Purely because he said the other day, Beirne is back row, he may just move him in and call a back rower.

Nice finish Adams. So prolific.

That was close!

The highs and lows of Conor Murray, faf will eat him alive.

Well another great phase of play started and finished by VDM

This is an impressive start from the Lions

Lots of injuries so far.

Tuperic off as well, looks a bit glazed

Is that a similar injury for Tips now?

At least the south africans will be less physical than Japan.

Henshaw has been great in this game.

Well we are winning the game comfortably but at some cost to the squad it seems

Great line from Henshaw

Japan are terrible. This was an awful warmup game to pick when the Lions are playing in SA. Will be no help at all in terms of preparation.

Dropping like flies. Glad the English lads are on the side lines

Cyril wrote:Japan are terrible. This was an awful warmup game to pick when the Lions are playing in SA. Will be no help at all in terms of preparation.

Who else was there? The last time the Lions had a warm-up it was against a Puma’s third string, and we almost lost.

Ryan, Navidi, Underhill and Ritchie will all be waiting by their phones with these injuries.

For a first game of the tour the Lions have been impressive though.

Henshaw just hammering home how important he will be. By a distance our best centre.

Cyril wrote:Japan are terrible. This was an awful warmup game to pick when the Lions are playing in SA. Will be no help at all in terms of preparation.

To be fair the Ref is favouring Lions, twice the Japanese have got their legs down in the tackle only for the ref to call maul instead of release.

Better off choosing a side that are similar to SA. Japan seem to think this is a Baa Baas game.

Yep the ref is awful too. He’s got history of being very poor though. Very recent history.

Cyril wrote:Yep the ref is awful too. He’s got history of being very poor though. Very recent history.

Hes retiring after this match.

Good. Guess he’s not moving to Japan.

That big South African winger doesn’t have a lot going for him apart from being big. Poor defender and poor basics.

Bars closed boooooo

Beer tested positive for Covid????

I’m not being negative, just commenting as I see it.