Hurricanes coach John Plumtree will join Jamie Joseph's coaching staff ahead of the June Internationals against Italy and Georgia.

Plumtree is currently the Hurricanes Assistant coach and will takeover as the Hurricanes Head Coach when Chris Boyd departs for Northampton Saints ahead of the 2018/19 season.

The Hurricanes coach will be with the Japan national side for the June Internationals as well as the November Internationals, while Joseph is confident that Japan will have Plumtree's services in the lead up to and during the 2019 Rugby World Cup, despite his commitments with the Hurricanes.

Meanwhile, Masakatsu Nishikawa was the only uncapped player named in the Japan squad that will face Italy and Georgia.

Michael Leitch will captain the side during the three test series.