Horie out, Leitch in
TOKYO - Japan have made three changes to the starting lineup that stunned Ireland for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup Pool A match against Samoa, including bringing Michael Leitch back to captain the side.
Leitch comes in at flanker for Kazuki Himeno, who moves to number eight following the injury to Amanaki Mafi in the match against Ireland. Leitch’s arrival off the bench in the first half in Shizuoka changed the match, with Japan appearing to gain extra resolve and organisation from having their captain on the field.