Hooker Shota Horie and fly-half Rikiya Matsuda are among 36 players called up to Japan's training camp beginning June 12 ahead of the Rugby World Cup in France, the Japan Rugby Football Union said Wednesday.

"As we approach the 100 days-to-go mark for France 2023, I am happy to announce the Brave Blossoms and national team wider training squads," head coach Jamie Joseph said. Horie missed last autumn's national team activities, while Matsuda had been sidelined with a knee injury.

The Brave Blossoms are scheduled to train in Urayasu, Chiba Prefecture, until the end of June and in the city of Miyazaki for a month from July 3 for the World Cup that kicks off on Sept. 8.

Their final World Cup squad will be announced in early August.

"The players have been selected based on their ability and the consistency they've demonstrated across the League One season," Joseph said.

"We will now focus on working with them to bring the group up to test match standard, while also working to re-forge a strong connection within the team ahead of what will be an incredibly challenging and exciting year."

Prop Keita Inagaki, hooker Atsushi Sakate, wing Kotaro Matsushima, flankers Michael Leitch and Kazuki Himeno have also been named to the squad as well as Tomoki Osada, the rookie of the year for the 2022-2023 League One season, and Haruto Kida, a member of newly crowned League One champions Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay.