Ryohei Yamanaka, born on June 22, 1988, in Osaka Prefecture, is a Japanese rugby union player known for his versatility as a fly-half or centre. He currently plays for the Kobelco Steelers, a prominent Japanese club in the Top League competition.
Yamanaka's career faced a setback in 2011 when he received a two-year ban from the International Rugby Board (IRB) after using a cream on his upper lip to promote moustache growth. The cream was found to contain a banned steroid, either methyltestosterone or methandriol.
In his home country, Yamanaka joined the Kobelco Steelers in 2013 and has been an integral part of the team since then. He also had the honor of being named in the inaugural Sunwolves squad, which competed in the Super Rugby competition from the 2016 season onwards.
On the international stage, Yamanaka made his debut for Japan against the Arabian Gulf in 2010. However, he did not make the squad for either the 2011 or 2015 Rugby World Cups. Nevertheless, he continued to showcase his skills and dedication to the sport.
Yamanaka's breakthrough came when he cemented his place in Japan's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. With 17 international caps to his name, he played a crucial role in the team's journey to the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Throughout his career, Ryohei Yamanaka has demonstrated his talent and commitment to the sport of rugby, making significant contributions to both his club, the Kobelco Steelers, and the Japanese national team.
KG(30/06/2023)
Career
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Kobelco Kobe Steelers Fullback |
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Japan XV Fullback |
2023 - 2024 |
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Barbarians Fullback |
2023 - 2024 |
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Japan Fullback |
2014 - 2024 |
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Sunwolves Inside Centre |
2015 - 2024 |
