Japan - The Cherry Blossoms

Team Preview

Coach:
John Kirwan

Previous World Cups:
1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003

Best Performance:
Pool Stage 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003

Played:
16 - 1 win, 15 losses

World Ranking:
No.18

Fixtures:
v Australia, Lyon, September 8
v Fiji, Toulouse, September 12
v Wales, Cardiff, September 20
v Canada, Bordeaux, September 25

Facts:
1. Japan has the dubious distinction of conceding the most points in a World Cup match, 145 against the All Blacks in 1995.
2. Former Prime Minister Yoshiro Miro is the president of the JRFU.
3. Japan is one of only two 'tier-two' nations with an IRB executive council seat.
4. Daisuke Ohata became the world's leading try-scorer of all time when he ran in his fifth touchdown against Georgia last year.
5. Japan has won just once in World Cup rugby, against Zimbabwe in 1991.

Key Players:

JAMES ARLIDGE
Arlidge may have only played one game but his performance in an 82-0 win over South Korea in April showed just what he had to offer.

Besides bagging 30 points - courtesy of two tries and 10 conversions from 10 attempts - the former Auckland five-eighth looked in total control of proceedings.

Japan's battling performances in the 2003 World Cup came as a result of Andy Miller directing affairs and Arlidge looks to be the natural successor.

However, he suffered a double fracture of the left leg, while playing against the Classic All Blacks on May 9.

For many that would have been a career threatening injury but Arlidge vowed on his release from hospital in June that he would make the trip to France.

Such is the importance of the NTT Docomo Kansai pivot, and the lack of depth in the key No.10 shirt, that he has been included in a 44-man training squad.

That will be cut to 30 for the World Cup but head coach John Kirwan, who coached the five-eighth at Auckland, will give him all the time he needs to recover.

DAISUKE OHATA
Also included in the squad is Ohata. The flying winger holds the world record for Test tries with 69 from 58 tests but like Arlidge is in the process of making a comeback having ruptured his Achilles in January.

However, the Kobe Kobelco Steelers wing has been putting in five to six hours a day of rehabilitation and like Arlidge will be given all the time he can to get fit.

PHIL O'REILLY
Another player to have missed the 2007 internationals is Phil O'Reilly.

The New Zealand-born flanker has been one of the leading players in the Top League in the past few seasons and had team-mate Tony Brown describing him as 'one of the best opensides I have played alongside or against.'

GLEN MARSH
O'Reilly's presence would boost Japan at the breakdown especially if he plays alongside Glen Marsh.

The 34-year-old Marsh (who is constantly battling a knee condition) is very much the senior member of the team, even though he has played just three times for Japan.

But he is generally regarded as being the best player in the Top League for the past four seasons. A master of slowing opposition ball, turning over ball in the tackle and acting as a link between forwards and backs, Marsh is very much key to Japan playing the high-pace game that Kirwan has asked of them.

KOSUKE ENDO
Endo has been the pick of the Japan backs of the past two seasons. Against the classic All Blacks he burnt Jonah Lomu for speed before making Carlos Spencer look foolish, handing off the Kiwi on the way to recording a superb 60m try.

LUKE THOMPSON
Thompson is being described as the 2007 version of Parker. A second-row with the rugby brain of a good back-row forward, Thompson is the go-to-man in the lineouts and a good carrier of the ball.