Japan topped the 10-team Asian qualifiers with ease after beating Arabian Gulf 82-9 and Korea 50-14, which might go some way to explaining the fact that they have been ever present in the tournament since its inception. Their opponents in September (Australia, Wales, Fiji and Canada) represent a different challenge altogether. However, new coach John Kirwan will bring the sort of tactical acumen with which he masterminded the development of the Italian national side before he stepped down in 2005.

Ever the optimist, Kirwan, who finished his playing career in Japan, says he is going to the World Cup to win the tournament, stating: "I have never ever gone into a game expecting to lose." In reality, he knows victories against Fiji and Canada and competitive performances against Australia and Wales would be regarded as a successful campaign in France.

• Daisuke Ohata
  The flying winger, who forms part of the Japan's so-called 'Samurai Trio' holds the world record for Test match tries with 69 from 58 tests but is in the process of making a comeback having ruptured his Achilles in January. However, the Kobe Kobelco Steelers wing has been putting in five to six hours a day of rehabilitation and will be given all the time he can to get fit.
• Phil O’Reilly
  The New Zealand-born flanker has been one of the top players in Japan's Top League in the past few seasons and had teammate Tony Brown describing him as "one of the best opensides I have played alongside or against". O’Reilly’s presence would boost Japan at the breakdown especially if he plays alongside Glen Marsh.
• Takuro Miuchi
  The Japanese captain played openside flanker in the 2003 World Cup but this year he dons the number eight jersey. Miuchi knows his side face a much tougher test in France than the do in the Oceania region where they are used to scoring tries for fun. In France, points come first. "We need to take the points when they are on offer," he said recently. "Tests are not like Japanese rugby when we know we can get another try." Miuchi’s task takes on greater significance when one considers the boost the Japanese World Cup bid for 2015 will get from a good showing in France.

• Forwards
  Ryo Yamamura, Masahito Yamamoto, Tomokazu Soma, Tatsukichi Nishiura, Yuji Matsubara, Mitsugu Yamamoto, Hitoshi Ono, Takanori Kumagae, Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei, Luke Thompson, Takuro Miuchi (Captain), Yasunori Watanabe, Hajime Kiso, Hare Makiri, Philip O'Reilly, Takamichi Sasaki.
• Backs
  Yuki Yatomi, Tomoki Yoshida, Eiji Ando, Kousei Ono, Shotaro Onishi, Nataniela Oto, Yuta Imamura, Koji Taira, Bryce Robins, Daisuke Ohata, Hirotoki Onozawa, Kosuke Endo, Christian Loamanu, Go Aruga.