USA vs Japan RWC 2015 preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Pool B fixture at Kingsholm
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It’s a big game for…
Craig Wing: At 35, the centre is the oldest player to have a World Cup debut. He’s another of the cross code players, having played 19 League tests for Australia. He also scored his first try in his debut against Wales in the historic victory for the Blossoms over the Welsh.
Teams...
USA: Chris Wyles (capt); Takudzwa Ngwenya, Seamus Kelly, Thretton Palamo, Zach Test, AJ MacGinty, Mike Petri; Samu Manoa, Andrew Durutalo, Al McFarland; Greg Peterson, Hayden Smith; Titi Lamositele, Zach Fenoglio, Eric Fry.
Replacements: Phil Thiel, Olive Kilifi, Chris Baumann, Cameron Dolan, John Quill, Danny Barrett, Niku Kruger, Folau Niua.
Japan: Ayumu Goromaru; Yoshikazu Fujita, Harumichi Tatekawa, Craig Wing, Kotaro Matsushima; Kosei Ono, Fumiaki Tanaka; Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch (capt); Justin Ives, Luke Thompson; Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shinya Makabe, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh.
Best stat…
25 million: This is the number of Japanese fans who stayed up late to watch the Brave Blossoms take on Samoa last week. If the World Cup has done nothing else, it has ignited a love and passion for the game in the host country for the next World Cup.
Remember when…
MacGinty arrived? The Americans have long looked for a reasonable fly half. In this year’s Pacific Nations Cup, they found their solution – AJ MacGinty. Originally of Irish origins, he qualifies for the US under the residency rules and set about kicking Japan into submission earlier this year.
Player to watch…
Yoshikazu Fujita: The youngest capped player for Japan also makes his World Cup debut, but he is an interesting player to keep an eye on. He scored six tries on debut against UAE, making a record in the process.
Past three-meetings…
USA 23 (Durutalo) – Japan 18 (Yamada, Holani) Pacific Nations Cup June 2015.
USA 29 (Dolan, Scully (3)) – Japan 37 (Tanaka, Yamada, Holani (2)) Pacific Nations Cup June 2014.
Japan 38 (Fujita, Sa'u, Tui, Hirose, Penalty try, Tanaka)– USA 20 (Wyles, Fry, Hume) Pacific Nations Cup June 2013.
Form guide…
Japan: WWWWLW
USA: WWLLLL
Vital information…
KICK-OFF TIME: 8pm Sunday, 11 October
TV: Live on ITV4, highlights on ITV
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