Rugby: Michael Leitch shifts to 2nd row for Japan clash with Georgia

Captain Michael Leitch will make his anticipated switch to the second row and university student Yoshitaka Yazaki will earn his second cap at fullback when Japan host Georgia in an international rugby test Saturday.

The test at Yurtec Stadium Sendai in northeastern Japan is Eddie Jones’ second following his reappointment as Brave Blossoms head coach.

Leitch’s move away from the back row comes as Jones seeks to implement his “super-fast” vision of Japanese rugby. Speaking to reporters after his team announcement Thursday, Jones described the 35-year-old Leitch as the best option at lock.

“I’m getting a feel for the role,” Leitch said. “The key will be how well we can contain their big forwards.”

The Australian coach has chosen a pair of quick flankers in Kubota Spears’ Faulua Makisi and Tokyo Sungoliath’s Kanji Shimokawa, with Bordeaux’s Tevita Tatafu starting at No. 8.

Naoto Saito, who has signed to play with French powerhouse Toulouse in the upcoming season, starts at scrumhalf.

Japan are currently No. 12 in the World Rugby rankings, two spots above Georgia. The Brave Blossoms have won five and lost one of their previous meetings.

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Japan:

Takayoshi Mohara, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi; Michael Leitch, Warner Dearns; Faulua Makisi, Kanji Shimokawa, Tevita Tatafu; Naoto Saito, Lee Seung Sin; Tomoki Osada, Samisoni Tua, Dylan Riley, Jone Naikabula, Yoshitaka Yazaki.

Reserves:

Atsushi Sakate, Takato Okabe, Keijiro Tamefusa, Sanaila Waqa, Tiennan Costley, Taiki Koyama, Takuya Yamasawa, Koga Nezuka.