By Matt Findlay

Versatility.

That’s what Japanese head coach and former Wallabies mentor Eddie Jones touted when talking selections for the Cherry Blossoms’ 2015 Rugby World Cup (RWC) squad, and he’s made good on the promise.

Jones opted for 17 forwards and 14 backs in his squad, and the inclusion of utility backs Kosei Ono and Toshiaki Hirose enbaled Jones to only include two specialist scrum-halves, with versatile forwards like Justin Ives also named.

“We know Kosei can fill in at nine, while Hirose has special qualities as he can play 10 and wing and his leadership off the field is so important for us,” Jones was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

Another glaring feature of Jones’ squad is the amount of imported talent throughout; Chiefs back-rower Michael Leitch will skipper the side, with the squad also including include Reds back-rower Hendrik Tui, second-row forward Michael Broadhurst, New Zealand-born Luke Thompson along with former Australian rugby league star Craig Wing.

The Cherry Blossoms face a tough ask to earn just their second ever RWC victory, pooled with heavyweights South Africa, who they open their campaign against, Scotland and the enigmatic USA and Samoan sides.

However, form is on Japan’s side after a win in the 2015 Asian Rugby Championships, where the Cherry Blossoms went through undefeated and with little to no pressure, punters are suggesting there is a chance they could make it out of the group stage, particularly after cohesive trial wins over Uruguay.

PLAYER TO WATCH – Craig Wing (inside back)

Quoted as saying this competition will be one of his greatest achievements, the 35-year-old is no stranger to international rugby having represented the Cherry Blossoms on a number of occasions since defecting to the 15-man code in 2010.

Although he didn’t play in Japan’s Asian Rugby Championships win this year, Wing has said he has is fit as ever and he is ideally suited to an inside back role, either starting or from the pine.

In fact, Wing’s snipy nature and crisp work with ball in hand – developed in a rugby league career boasting 300 top grade games, and state and nationl representation – could see him become one of the better impact players in the tournament.

SQUAD

Forwards: Keita Inagaki, Masataka Mikami, Kensuke Hatakeyama, Hiroshi Yamashita, Shota Horie, Takeshi Kizu, Hiroki Yuhara, Luke Thompson, Shinya Makabe, Shoji Ito, Hitoshi Ono, Michael Leitch (capt.), Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Michael Broadhurst, Hendrik Tui, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Justin Ives.

Backs: Fumiaki Tanaka, Atsushi Hiwasa, Harumichi Tatekawa, Yu Tamura, Kosei Ono, Craig Wing, Male Sa’u, Kenki Fukuoka, Akihito Yamada, Karne Hesketh, Yoshikazu Fujita, Ayumu Goromaru, Kotaro Matsushima, Toshiaki Hirose.

FIXTURES

Saturday, September 19: vs South Africa; Brighton Community Stadium, Brighton; 4.45pm

Wednesday, September 23: vs Scotland; Kingsholm, Gloucester; 2.30pm

Saturday, October 3 vs Samoa; Stadiummk, Milton Keyne; 2.30pm

Sunday, October 11: vs USA; Kingsholm, Gloucester; 8pm