Japan and Fiji, who represent the southern hemisphere in the Nations Championship tournament, have announced their teams for Round 4.
Rounds 4 to 6 represent the Northern Series in Europe with the first three rounds of the Southern series completed in July in the southern hemisphere. Following the completion of round 6 the 12 teams will complete in an innovative Finals Weekend to determine the world's best rugby hemipshere.
For Fiji former England international Nathan Hughes [pictured] is set to make his debut against France in Lyon after being named at No. 8 in a new-look side selected by head coach Jake White.
Hughes will anchor a powerful loose forward trio alongside Pita Gus Sowakula at blindside flanker and Kitione Salawa at openside, as the Flying Fijians prepare for a formidable challenge against the hosts.
Captain Tevita Ikanivere will lead from hooker, packing down between props Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi, while locks Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Nasilasila will be tasked with providing the muscle up front and challenging France at lineout time.
White has also made significant changes to his backline, with Simione Kuruvoli at halfback and Isikeli Rabitu earning his first international start at flyhalf.
Vinaya Habosi and Iosefo Masi will form a new midfield partnership at inside and outside centre respectively, while the dangerous back three of Jiuta Wainiqolo, Selestino Ravutaumada and Salesi Rayasi complete the starting XV.
On the bench, Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai and Inoke Ravuiwasa provide front-row cover, with Peceli Yato and Elia Canakaivata offering options across the second and back rows.
The experience of Frank Lomani and Ben Volavola will be vital in the closing stages, with both backs set to earn their 50th Test caps. Bayonne-based Sireli Maqala completes the replacements.
The selection signals White’s willingness to test combinations and build depth as the Flying Fijians prepare to face one of the world’s leading rugby nations on home soil.
With Hughes making his debut, Rabitu stepping into the No. 10 jersey and a fresh midfield pairing, the Flying Fijians will need to combine their attacking flair with discipline and physicality against the French.
White believes the 23 selected are the best available to challenge France and deliver an upset in Lyon.
Fiji team v France
1. Eroni Mawi
2. Tevita Ikanivere (captain)
3. Luke Tagi
4. Mesake Vocevoce
5. Isoa Nasilasila
6. Pita Gus Sowakula
7. Kitione Salawa
8. Nathan Hughes
9. Simione Kuruvoli
10. Isikeli Rabitu
11. Jiuta Wainiqolo
12. Vinaya Habosi
13. Iosefo Masi
14. Selestino Ravutaumada
15. Salesi Rayasi
Replacements: Zuriel Togiatama, Peni Ravai, Inoke Ravuiwasa, Peceli Yato, Elia Canakaivata, Frank Lomani, Ben Volavola, Sireli Maqala
Japan head coach Eddie Jones has handed flyhalf Riku Kitahara his first start for the Brave Blossoms against Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Saturday. Jones has named a pretty settled side as they go in search of their first win against the Welsh away from home.
The matchday squad will be captained by lock Warner Dearns, who led the side in their last outing against Fiji. There are nine survivors from that 28-34 defeat who will take on Wales.
In the forward pack, prop Yota Kamimori and hooker Mamoru Harada have retained their spots.
The loose forward trio will be Ben Gunter and Kanji Shimokawa, both of whom featured against Fiji, and they’ll be joined by Jack Cornelsen.
Scrumhalf Naoto Saito will pair up with the debutant, Kitahara, while Samisoni Tua, Inoke Burua, and Kippei Ishida are players who have also retained their spots.
After losses against Ireland and France in the opening leg of the competition, the Brave Blossoms will be aiming to cause a couple of upsets against Wales, England, and Scotland in the coming weeks.
Japan Team v Wales
15 Kazuma Ueda
14 Kippei Ishida
13 Dylan Riley
12 Samisoni Tua
11 Inoke Burua
10 Riku Kitahara
9 Naoto Saito
8 Jack Cornelsen
7 Kanji Shimokawa
6 Ben Gunter
5 Warner Dearns (captain)
4 Harry Hockings
3 Shuhei Takeuchi
2 Mamoru Harada, 1 Yota Kamimori.
Replacements: 16 Kenji Sato, 17 Sojiro Otsuka, 18 Opeti Helu, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Tiennan Costley, 21 Kenta Fukuda, 22 Shinya Komura, 23 Jisu Lee.
