Japan vs Italy Predictions: Azzurri to inflict more misery on struggling Sakuras

The summer internationals are beginning to draw to a close for many countries and Italy’s final match of their three-game tour of the Pacific sees the Azzurri take on a Japan side who have not been in brilliant form as of late.

Read on for my Japan vs Italy prediction, as well as the latest team news and match odds.

Team News

Jones has made four changes to the starting line-up from the side beaten 25-23 by Georgia in their most recent international.

Eishin Kuwano starts in the second row for his Cherry Blossoms debut, while Amanaki Saumaki comes in at flanker, with Tevita Tatafu and the suspended Kanji Shimokawa making way.

Captain Michael Leitch and Faulua Makisi are moved from their previous starting positions and will play at flanker and number eight respectively.

The backline sees Taiki Koyama start at scrum-half ahead of Naoto Saito and Lee Seung-sin is also replaced at fly-half, with Rikiya Matsuda preferred.

Quesada has also named four changes from the XV that got the better of Samoa 36-14 last time out.

A new second-row sees Niccolo Cannone and Andrea Zambonin come in for Edoardo Iachizzi and Federico Ruzza, while Ross Vincent is favoured at flanker ahead of Manuel Zuliani.

The one change in the backs sees Louis Lynagh start at right wing with Jacopo Trulla moving over to the left. Monty Ioane drops out of the matchday squad.

Japan vs Italy Odds

The visitors are favourites to claim the victory at the Sapporo Dome at 4/9, with Japan 19/10 to win their first head-to-head against Italy since 2018.

The tie provides odds of 25/1, while over 51.5 total points in the match can be backed at 5/6.

Italy to win by 1-12 points inclusive @ 19/10

Italy bounced back from their tight 33-25 defeat to Samoa in their first summer international with victory over Tonga and the Azzurri could have enough about them to edge past Japan.

Five of their seven matches this calendar year have been separated by fewer than 12 points, including four of their five Six Nations fixtures – with the only outlier being a 36-0 humbling by eventual winners Ireland.

Despite being thrashed by England (52-17) and the Maori All Blacks (36-10) recently, Japan have shown signs of improvement and each of their last two have been separated by a 12-point margin.

However, defeat to Georgia – the world’s 12th best side – shows that the Cherry Blossoms still have a long way to go before they can really challenge the best and they may falter again in facing another top-10 nation.

Team to win both halves – Italy @ 9/5

The Azzurri certainly made huge strides forward during the Six Nations, while in their most recent international they saw off Tonga 36-14, having taken a 15-0 lead into the half-time interval.

With that upsurge in belief Italy should have more than enough to enjoy the better of both halves against their hosts in the Sapporo Dome.

Check out our other Rugby Union Betting Tips here.