Hodges set for half century

Llanelli flanker Dave Hodges will win his 50th cap for the United States in their Pool B encounter with Japan in Gosford on Monday.

The 25-year-old has been part of the Eagles set-up since 1996 and is looking to mark the occasion by ending the USA’s record run of 10 successive World Cup defeats.

Coach Tom Billups has been forced into a couple of changes from the side defeated by Scotland on Monday, with Alec Parker (concussion) and Kain Cross (ribs) both ruled out.

Gerhard Klerck takes Parker’s spot in the second row, while Salesi Sika will make his international debut at inside centre.

Team: Emerick; Fee, Eloff, Sika, van Zyl; Hercus, Dalzell; MacDonald, Khasigian, Dorsey, Klerck, Gross, Schubert, Hodges, Lyle.

Replacements: Wyatt, Waasdorp, Gouws, Fifita, Kjar, Keyter, Buchholz.