By Jason Harris
August 23 2002

Wayne Shelford makes some changes for the tour match against Suntory in Tokyo's National Stadium. The side chosen could give some clues as to who will be pulling on the black shirt for the trip to Bristol on the opening weekend of the Zurich Premiership season. In a team that sees only Christian Califano, Kris Chesney, Ben Johnston, Ken Iwabuchi and captain Kyran Bracken as the only five players that started against Sanix in the fifteen, coach Shelford is keen to give everyone in the squad a run-out.

The big news coming from Japan is that Thomas Castaignede makes his first start for the Men in Black since October 2000 and his 18 month injury nightmare. Ken Iwabuchi will get the chance to play in front of his home fans as he retains his place in the team, albeit on the wing rather than at stand-off.

Tim Horan, who has been battling with two injuries over the close season, sits among the replaements and hopes that he will see some game time to establish how close he is to full recovery and a return to the starting line-up.

Also on the bench is Canadian international Morgan Williams who joined the squad earlier this week after playing for his country in the World Cup qualifiers. Williams should make his debut in Tokyo and his partnership with Andy Goode is one that will be watched very closely, as Bracken and Fijian no10 Nicki Little could well be involved in the upcoming autumn internationals.

The squad:

15 Thomas Castaignede
14 Kensuke Iwabuchi
13 Ben Johnston
12 Kevin Sorrell
11 Brett Sparg
10 Andy Goode
9 Kyran Bracken (capt)

1 Christian Califano
2 Joe Ross
3 Johnny Marsters
4 Abdel Benazzi
5 Stuart Hooper
6 Tony Roques
7 Richard Hill
8 Kris Chesney

Replacements:

David Flatman, Matt Cairns, Kieran Roche, Ryan Peacey, Ben Russell, Morgan Williams, Tim Horan, Tom Shanlin, Darragh O'Mahony