Hosts Japan Name Rugby World Cup Squad
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Japan head coach Jamie Joseph has announced his 31-man Japan squad who will represent the host nation when the 2019 Rugby World Cup kicks off next month.
Michael Leitch will captain the side and is among the three players named to feature in their third consecutive tournament with Fumiaki Tanaka and Shota Horia also featuring at their third tournament.
Flanker Kazuki Himeno was also named and will make his first World Cup appearance.
Uncapped Takuya Kitade has also been included in the squad with Isileli Nakajima returning from injury to feature in the squad.
Kitade and Nakajima are the only two players in the squad that did not feature in the Pacific Nations Cup-winning squad.
Japan kick the tournament off against Russia with Ireland, Scotland and Samoa all in the host's pool.
【日本代表】
日本ラグビーフットボール協会は、9月20日（金）に開幕する「ラグビーワールドカップ2019（#RWC2019）」へ向けた日本代表最終登録メンバー計31名を決定しました→https://t.co/cA70bBuVKz #rugbyjp #OneTeam pic.twitter.com/IAyyYxFo7T
— 日本ラグビーフットボール協会 (@JRFUMedia) August 29, 2019
