FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Autumn Internationals - France vs Japan - U Arena, Nanterre, France - November 25, 2017 France’s Guilhem Guirado clashes with Japan’s Amanaki Mafi REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
HAMAMATSU, Japan (Reuters) - Japan left captain Michael Leitch out of their starting team for Saturday's clash with Pool A favourites Ireland as a fit-again Amanaki Mafi took his place in the back row as one of five changes from their victory over Russia.
Japan struggled early on before running out 30-10 winners against Russia and coach Jamie Joseph on Thursday credited the impact experienced players like Luke Thompson had off the bench, with the lock being rewarded with a start on Saturday.
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