Japan name six changes for Test vs Australia in Tokyo with Leitch back

Japan coach Eddie Jones has made six changes to his starting lineup for Saturday's Test against Australia in Tokyo, recalling veteran Michael Leitch at number eight and naming Ben Gunter at blindside flanker as the Brave Blossoms prepare to face the Wallabies at the National Stadium on October 25. The match kicks off at 14:50 local time and will be Jones's first meeting with Australia since he stepped down as Wallabies head coach after the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Leitch, the former Japan captain, will win his 90th cap, while Gunter completes a back row that also includes Kanji Shimokawa at openside. The matchday 23 includes four players raised in Australia — Gunter, centre Dylan Riley, lock Jack Cornelsen and replacement outside back Sam Greene — reflecting the growing number of overseas-developed players in Japan's ranks. Yoshitaka Yazaki returns at fullback, Kippei Ishida comes in on the right wing and Tomoki Osada switches to the left. Shogo Nakano partners Riley in midfield and Lee Seungsin retains the flyhalf role for his 25th cap.

Jones named a 53-split bench featuring South African utility forward Tyler Paul, who is set to make his Test debut. Paul, 30, can cover lock and...