Jamie Joseph names Japan's 31-man squad for upcoming Rugby World Cup

Japan coach Jamie Joseph named the 31 players Thursday that will represent the nation at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, saying the squad will "give 150 percent" to achieve their goal of making the knockout stage for the first time.

Captained by flanker Michael Leitch, the squad has just 10 players with previous World Cup experience and includes one uncapped player in hooker Takuya Kitade.

Kyodo