Team start rugby campaign in Tokyo against Italy on Saturday, then face Ireland in Newcastle, Australia, and France on home soil this month.

Japan on Thursday named uncapped student fly-half Ryunosuke Ito to start against Italy in their Nations Championship opener in Tokyo, with banned head coach Eddie Jones absent.

Team start rugby campaign in Tokyo against Italy on Saturday, then face Ireland in Newcastle, Australia, and France on home soil this month.

Japan beat Italy 27-10 to make an impressive start to their Nations Championship campaign in Tokyo on Saturday, with coach Eddie Jones absent through suspension.