Michael Leitch eyes Pacific Nations Cup return as Rugby World Cup looms
Japan captain Michael Leitch is targeting the Pacific Nations Cup game against Fiji on July 27 for his long-awaited return to action. The 30-year-old back-row forward has not played since Dec. 15 due to a chronic groin injury, but he is back training with the ...
Brave Blossoms boss Jamie Joseph explains Sunwolves player policy
Japan coach Jamie Joseph hit back at criticism over his handling of the Sunwolves saying that from a national team's point of view things went well, though not necessarily the way they were initially intended to go. "I thought it was the perfect plan," he ...
Special edition train unveiled in Iwate Prefecture in run-up to Rugby World Cup
A special edition train designed for the upcoming Rugby World Cup was unveiled to reporters at Kamaishi Station in on Tuesday in the build-up to the tournament kicking off across Japan in September. The train, operated by Sanriku Railway Co. and dubbed the "Scrum Iwate ...
Japan ramps up Rugby World Cup prep
The Brave Blossoms began the second stage of their pre-Rugby World Cup camp on Monday in Miyazaki with head coach Jamie Joseph saying Japan is at the stage where it's respected, but perhaps not feared. However the New Zealander told Kyodo News he is confident ...
Captain Michael Leitch says Brave Blossoms can make history at Rugby World Cup
Japan captain Michael Leitch warned that the Brave Blossoms will fear no one at this year's World Cup as the hosts target a place in the knockout stage for the first time. The New Zealand-born flanker shot to fame four years ago when Japan won ...
Brave Blossoms call up 42 players to squad
Japan coach Jamie Joseph named 42 players Monday that will form the basis of the Brave Blossoms squad for this year's Rugby World Cup. Led by captain Michael Leitch, the squad — which contains just 12 players with previous World Cup experience — will hold ...
Veteran coaches worry about future of Japanese rugby
Two leading coaches believe the Japan Rugby Football Union does not understand just how much of an impact this year's Rugby World Cup will have and say the policies currently in place will see rugby here suffer greatly following the tournament. Jake White, who led ...
Scotland's Stuart Hogg looks ahead to rematch with Brave Blossoms
Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg admits the autumn heat in Japan could hamper his team's chances of claiming a Rugby World Cup quarterfinal spot at the host nation's expense later this year. But he also warns that the Scots are quick learners. "We played Japan in 2016 ...
JRFU's bewildering plans for Top League reform spark skepticism, opposition
The news that the Japan Rugby Top League is to undergo reform following this year's World Cup should have been met with heraldic fanfare, given the nation's recent entry into the Reiwa Era. But having spoken to a number of coaches, players and longtime observers ...
Jamie Joseph still has many questions after Wolf Pack's victory over Western Force
With just under 150 days to go until Japan kicks off the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Russia in Tokyo, Jamie Joseph's side is slowly starting to gather momentum. On Saturday at Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, the Wolf Pack — the name given to ...
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend says team must be at best to beat Japan at World Cup
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend said Monday his side will need to be at their best if they are to beat hosts Japan and advance to the quarterfinals of this year's Rugby World Cup. Speaking at the Yokohama Country & Athletic Club after giving a coaching ...
Proposed new league presents issues for Japan
A World Rugby news release late Wednesday night from Dublin may have appeased some parties concerned by plans for a new worldwide league, but many questions remain as to how Japan will be affected. The sport's governing body was attacked from all sides last week ...
