JAPAN

Late choice: The 38-year-old Luke Thompson is in the squad

KARNE Hesketh’s legendary last gasp try to beat the mighty Springboks in 2015 mean this year’s hosts can no longer fly under the radar.
The hopes and expectation for the Brave Blossoms will be considerably magnified from when they were in England four years ago and Eddie Jones’ men defied the odds to give South African an embarrassing bloody nose.
Despite hitting the headlines with that win, Japan were left desperately disappointed at being the first side to win three pool games without progressing.
Now ...