Match Preview: Japan v Samoa
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyThere’s a lot at stake when Japan face Samoa at Stadium de Toulouse on Thursday. Two sides’ quarter-final hopes are on the line in a ferociously tight Pool D, in which a single point separates...
Riley starts at centre - Japan name team to play Samoa
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan head coach Jamie Joseph has announced his match-day 23 for his team's Pool D match against Samoa on Thursday, 28 September. Dylan Riley starts at outside-centre in place of Tomoki Osada and Lomano...
Samoa hoping local knowledge will offer edge against Japan
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyWhen Japan takes on Samoa in Toulouse, France, in Pool D of the Rugby World Cup on Thursday, it will be up against a team that knows more than a thing or two about Japanese rugby. Head coach Seilala Mapusua...
On this day in 2015: Japan stun South Africa at Rugby World Cup
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan pulled off the greatest shock in Rugby World Cup history as they stunned mighty South Africa 34-32 at the Amex Stadium in Brighton on this day in 2015. Karne Hesketh’s 84th-minute try sealed...
Rugby World Cup 2023 Match Preview: England v Japan
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyVeteran Michael Leitch will become Japan’s most capped Rugby World Cup player when he runs onto the pitch at Stade de Nice for his 15th tournament match on Sunday. He is one of 13 survivors...
Michael Leitch sets Brave Blossoms record
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan head coach Jamie Joseph has named his match-day squad to face England in Pool D at Stade de Nice on Sunday, 17 September, with back-row Michael Leitch on course to make his 15th Rugby World Cup appearance. 1...
Rugby World Cup 2023 round one review
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyEight matches down, another 40 to come – and Rugby World Cup 2023 is already setting a high bar. France and New Zealand defied energy-sapping temperatures at Stade de France to put on...
Japan score six tries to beat Chile in Toulouse
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbySecond-row Amato Fakatava scored two tries as Japan defeated Chile 42-12 with a bonus-point performance at the Stadium de Toulouse in Pool D on Sunday.Fly-half Rodrigo Fernandez scored Chile's first ever...
Japan v Chile: Match Preview
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyChile, the lowest-ranked side to qualify the 2023 tournament, make their Rugby World Cup debut against a Japan side that sit eight places above them in World Rugby's rankings. The South Americans have...
Japan name team to play Chile
7 months ago by Ultimate RugbyJapan head coach Jamie Joseph has named his match-day 23 to face Chile in Toulouse on Sunday. 1 Keita Inagaki 2 Atsushi Sakate 3 Jiwon Gu 4 Jack Cornelsen 5 Amato Fakatava 6 Michael...
