Rugby: Labuschagne to lead against Ireland with Leitch on bench

Pieter Labuschagne will captain Japan when they take on Ireland at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup with Michael Leitch starting the game on the bench, coach Jamie Joseph said Thursday.With Amanaki Lelei Mafi fit again, Joseph has opted to move in-form Kazuki Himeno from No. 8 to blindside flanker to accommodate Japan's main strike runner with Leitch dropping to the bench and "Lappies" Labuschagne keeping the No. 7 jersey."What I believe around the game, in terms of our bench, we've got to have an impact," Joseph said of his decision. "If we're going to be in a positi…READ FULL ARTICLE