Japan the center of attention in 1st Rugby World Cup in Asia
(World News USA)

TOKYO (AP) - The first Rugby World Cup in Asia starts Friday in Tokyo, another sport out to tap a giant region that`s in the midst of playing host to three straight Olympics and world championships of varying pedigrees. Japan`s national team caught attention four years ago by upsetting two-time champion South Africa in the Rugby World Cup in England. Organizers would love a similar result again to drive interest in a country where baseball and soccer are still more popular, but rugby has deep roots. Jamie Joseph`s Japan squad faces 20th-ranked Russia to open the six-week, 20-team tournament on Friday at Tokyo Stadium, which is set to be packed for a Pool A match that at any previous World...