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.

Pot Hale wrote:Would you have Williams at 15 based on that display?   Interesting to see which Stuart Hogg turns up when he joins squad.

Williams defence against Hogg's attack - a classic dilemma

I know henshaw has been good in attack but his defence in combo with wings hasn't been great. Harris must be a little buoyed by that.

AWJ does not look to bad sitting in the stand, no sling on, which would normally be in place for a dislocation

BigGee wrote:AWJ does not look to bad sitting in the stand, no sling on, which would normally be in place for a dislocation

Just thought that.

Nice little passage of play. Those offloads will be the way to take on South Africa.

Conan off as well, Lions at 14 men, that will test them

BigGee wrote:AWJ does not look to bad sitting in the stand, no sling on, which would normally be in place for a dislocation

Yeah that is odd. I guess we shall see.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

BigGee wrote:AWJ does not look to bad sitting in the stand, no sling on, which would normally be in place for a dislocation

Yeah that is odd. I guess we shall see.

Well if he did dislocate his shoulder, it is back in place now, that does not mean it is not damaged though

Biggar learning how not to tackle - the hard way.

Pot Hale wrote:Biggar learning how not to tackle - the hard way.

That technique definitely won't work against the big Boks!

Fantastic defence by the Irish pair there.

Henshaw’s defending has been superb at 13. But should he be playing 12?

Blooming championship players!

Biggar MoM - hard to argue with that

Biggar - man of the match?

Pot Hale wrote:Henshaw’s defending has been superb at 13.   But should he be playing 12?  

Has it? Japan though limited have found their best moments attacking him and the wingers out wide. So yes perhaps he is more suited to 12. Hard to see him starting before Farrell though.

Jeez. Who was that player who threw ball into touch at the end?

Pot Hale wrote:Biggar - man of the match?  

Henshaw was close I would say, but Biggar had a good game

Pot Hale wrote:Jeez. Who was that player who threw ball into touch at the end?  

Ah you're doing an anti English thing. Got you.

Biggar, better, butter.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Henshaw’s defending has been superb at 13.   But should he be playing 12?  

Has it? Japan though limited have found their best moments attacking him and the wingers out wide. So yes perhaps he is more suited to 12. Hard to see him starting before Farrell though.

You might be right.

Injuries apart, I think the Lions will be happy enough with that

This may end up being the hardest of the warm up games, from what we have seen of the SA provincial sides and it was first up.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Jeez. Who was that player who threw ball into touch at the end?  

Ah you're doing an anti English thing. Got you.

Relax bud. There are only B & I players. I didn’t recognise the player - that’s all.

AWJ looks alright

AWJ picks up the trophy, but very noticeably not using his left arm, did it all one handed

Pot Hale wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:

Pot Hale wrote:Jeez. Who was that player who threw ball into touch at the end?  

Ah you're doing an anti English thing. Got you.

Relax bud.  There are only B & I players.   I didn’t recognise the player - that’s all.  

All good Pot.

Veeery mediocre performance. Hopefully just a shaking off the rust and not a similar start to the 2005 tour when they were lucky to beat Argentina before imploding in NZ.
I thought Biggar was the best Lion on the pitch and won, according the Argentina commentators I was watching, the 'jugador del partido' (MOTM). What did the Channel 4 commentators say? Looked like more players may have played themselves out of contention (for the moment) than into. Subs did squat.

doctor_grey wrote:Veeery mediocre performance.  Hopefully just a shaking off the rust and not a similar start to the 2005 tour when they were lucky to beat Argentina before imploding in NZ.  
I thought Biggar was the best Lion on the pitch and won, according the Argentina commentators I was watching, the 'jugador del partido' (MOTM).  What did the Channel 4 commentators say?    Looked like more players may have played themselves out of contention (for the moment) than into.  Subs did squat.

Did you not think it had a large dollop of the game being too easy? No one had to push themselves really. Even the areas of concern weren't really that concerning due to the players we were up against.

No 7&1/2 wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Veeery mediocre performance.  Hopefully just a shaking off the rust and not a similar start to the 2005 tour when they were lucky to beat Argentina before imploding in NZ.  
I thought Biggar was the best Lion on the pitch and won, according the Argentina commentators I was watching, the 'jugador del partido' (MOTM).  What did the Channel 4 commentators say?    Looked like more players may have played themselves out of contention (for the moment) than into.  Subs did squat.

Did you not think it had a large dollop of the game being too easy? No one had to push themselves really. Even the areas of concern weren't really that concerning due to the players we were up against.

No, not at all.  In fact, these are the games when player have to lay down the marker they deserve to play in the tests.  Here is a quote from Dodie Weir from yesterday's Telegraph:

Dodie Weir from the Telegraph, June 25, 2021 wrote:Just because they are your teammates, it does not mean you go easy on each other in training. The competition for those Test places is so intense from the first minute you step into camp. Everyone wants to start. No one is content with a place on the bench, let alone outside of the squad. So you fight tooth and nail in every training session. When you get a start in a tour match, you know you have to take your opportunity. There’s no second or third chances.

These are Lions.  To me, says it all.  Complacency is out the window.

Confirmed - AWJ out of the tour following a dislocated shoulder

What an awful thing to have happened to him!

BigGee wrote:Confirmed - AWJ out of the tour following a dislocated shoulder

What an awful thing to have happened to him!

Shame. I guess we have to delete out thread about AWJ as captain. Wonder who would be in Gatland's thinking? My preference, as usual, is the captain to come from positions 1-9. I like Hogg a lot, but think fullback is pretty far from the action.

BigGee wrote:Confirmed - AWJ out of the tour following a dislocated shoulder

What an awful thing to have happened to him!

Awful. Some will be happy no doubt.

doctor_grey wrote:

BigGee wrote:Confirmed - AWJ out of the tour following a dislocated shoulder

What an awful thing to have happened to him!

Shame.  I guess we have to delete out thread about AWJ as captain.  Wonder who would be in Gatland's thinking?  My preference, as usual, is the captain to come from positions 1-9.  I like Hogg a lot, but think fullback is pretty far from the action.

I think the captain could be Owens, Biggar or Farrell. Gatland likes Faz. Gatland already knows who the replacement is. If it’s not James Ryan then who is it, Gray?

mikey_dragon wrote:

BigGee wrote:Confirmed - AWJ out of the tour following a dislocated shoulder

What an awful thing to have happened to him!

Awful. Some will be happy no doubt.

At least if they choose Farrell this site will be united in its opinion for once.

Gray or Ryan for me - lets see how JG plays this afternoon, could be his audition

and JG scores to give his chances a boost

Lions aren’t very lucky with their captains. Jeez, if Japan are softening up our players just think what the SA provinces are going to do.

Farrell for captain. With Biggar and him at 10/12 we won’t lack passion.

Ryan must be the call up now. He’s not had a great year but he’s the next cab off the rank.

Adam Beard anyone?!

Please not Farrell

Cyril wrote:Ryan must be the call up now. He’s not had a great year but he’s the next cab off the rank.

Not Johnny Gray?

Cyril wrote:Lions aren’t very lucky with their captains. Jeez, if Japan are softening up our players just think what the SA provinces are going to do.

Farrell for captain. With Biggar and him at 10/12 we won’t lack passion.

You cant have a sub and the captain of the 5th placed 6 nations side as captain, it would make a mockery of the Lions.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

Cyril wrote:Ryan must be the call up now. He’s not had a great year but he’s the next cab off the rank.

Not Johnny Gray?

I have seen a suggestion that they might go for another backrow with Beirne moving up. At least there is no shortage of decent players they could call up for positions 4-8. Leadership will be more interesting, and given his popularity in the group I can see them going with Farrell.

Ken Owens should be captain, he is the best option. Played well today and a nailed on test starter.

Collapse2005 wrote:Ken Owens should be captain, he is the best option. Played well today and a nailed on test starter.

I think Ken Owens would be a good call.

We don't know what is going on with Tupuric yet either, he probably needs a scan, but did not look to clever when he went off either. They may need a second row and a back row.

That's why they will delay the call

In other news Tipuric had a stinger and Conan a hamstring pull - he was taken off as a precaution. Both will still travel.

lostinwales wrote:In other news Tipuric had a stinger and Conan a hamstring pull - he was taken off as a precaution. Both will still travel.

OK, second row it is then

Collapse2005 wrote:

Cyril wrote:Lions aren’t very lucky with their captains. Jeez, if Japan are softening up our players just think what the SA provinces are going to do.

Farrell for captain. With Biggar and him at 10/12 we won’t lack passion.

You cant have a sub and the captain of the 5th placed 6 nations side as captain, it would make a mockery of the Lions.

Perhaps they just want the captain with the most big game experience, like RWC finals.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Cyril wrote:Lions aren’t very lucky with their captains. Jeez, if Japan are softening up our players just think what the SA provinces are going to do.

Farrell for captain. With Biggar and him at 10/12 we won’t lack passion.

You cant have a sub and the captain of the 5th placed 6 nations side as captain, it would make a mockery of the Lions.

Also. not remotely a guaranteed starter.