TOKYO - Veteran forward Michael Leitch, Toulouse scrumhalf Naoto Saito and Japan Rugby League One rookie of the year Shunsuke Uenobo were among 35 players named Wednesday by head coach Eddie Jones in the Brave Blossoms' training squad for the slate of test matches starting next month.
The 66-year-old coach began his press conference in Tokyo by reading an apology for his "verbal abuse" of local match officials during the Japan under-23 side's April tour of Australia that led to the Japan Rugby Football Union slapping him with a suspension and pay cut.
"I love the game of rugby, so I do feel very disappointed in my own behavior that I've brought the game into this area where we have to discuss it at a press conference," Jones said. "But like everyone, we make mistakes and now it's time to move on."
Jones finished his six-week suspension from coaching duties on Saturday, but he is still subject to a four-game ban that means he will miss Japan's first test of the season against Italy on July 4.
The Australian tactician will oversee the training camp in southwestern Japan's Miyazaki and return to the coach's box for the test against Ireland in the Nations Championship on July 11 in Newcastle, Australia.
The 35-man squad includes 10 uncapped players including Kobe Steelers utility back Uenobo and Meiji University flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito.
Jones spoke highly of the 22-year-old Uenobo, who was called up by the League One champion Steelers midway through the season from Tenri University.
"He's brave under the high ball, proactive in attack, and has been strong defensively and, you know, has shown himself to be a really quality player," Jones said.
The 21-year-old Ito, meanwhile, is "as good as any No. 10 in the world" for his age, according to the coach.
"He's got exceptional vision, he's got a great passing game and a great running game," Jones said.
Fourteen players, including flyhalf Lee Seung Sin, prop Keita Inagaki and fullback Yazaki Yoshitaka, were left out due to injuries.
Japan will also host tests against France on July 18, Australia on Aug. 8 and Canada on Sept. 5.
