Japan hope second string is enough
With bigger fish to fry, Japan will field a second-string side as they bid to regain the title of Asian champions from neighbours and arch-rivals South Korea.
'Japan won't be fielding a full-strength team as they have a tour to Europe beginning next week. The side who will play here will be their second stringers but I expect them to still be very competitive,' said Jarrad Gallagher, the International Rugby Board's regional development manager for Asia.
Japan are due to play two Tests on their European tour. The first is against Scotland on November 13 at McDiarmid Park, and the second against Wales on November 26 in Cardiff.
Hong Kong, who meet Japan tomorrow in a Pool A match at the Hong Kong Football Club (8pm kickoff), cannot afford to take things lightly. On the last occasion they played Japan - in an IRB quadrangular last year - a second string side defeated the SAR 90-5.
