ATSUSHI Sakate believes the decision of the Lions to invite Japan to play them ahead of the tour to South Arica shows the progress made by the 2019 World Cup hosts in the last decade.
Sakate, one of Japan’s hookers at the World Cup, plays for the Panasonic Wild Knights and says that throwing at the lineout to George Kruis, a 2017 Lion, has helped him improve in a league where leading internationals from all over the world are passing on their knowledge and knowhow to local players.
“It is an honour for Japan to be playing such a prestigious team,” said Sakate.
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