Hosting their first World Cup, can Japan get out of their group and into the knockout stages?
Japan Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
At the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Japan pulled off the greatest upset in history, defeating South Africa 34-32 in Brighton. Results have been erratic since and they need the energy of a nation to do better this time around.
How They Qualified
As hosts of the 2019 tournament, Japan qualified automatically.
Key Players
Talismanic skipper Michael Leitch has been through the trenches for Japan. Fumiaki Tanaka brings bags of experience at nine and Kazuki Himeno is an exciting talent in the back five of the scrum.
Sunwolf: Michael Leitch is Japan’s talisman (Getty Images)
The Coach – Jamie Joseph
The former All Blacks flanker also played for Japan (it was a different time). He led the Highlanders to their first-ever Super Rugby title in 2014.
Leading the way: Jamie Joseph is the head coach for the Japanese (Getty Images)
Major Work-ons
You will expect Japan to erupt on Russia in the opening game of the tournament in Tokyo, but they need to ensure they don’t physically wilt against tougher opposition throughout the rest of the pool stage.
Japan Rugby World Cup Warm-ups
We will update this section with who Japan will play as warm-ups for the tournament when they are announced.
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Warm-ups
Japan Rugby World Cup Group
Japan are in Group A alongside Ireland, Scotland, Russia and Samoa.
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Group
Japan Rugby World Cup Fixtures
- Fri 20 Sep Japan v Russia (Tokyo)
- Sat 28 Sep Japan v Ireland (Shizuoka)
- Sat 5 Oct Japan v Samoa (Toyota)
- Sun 13 Oct Japan v Scotland (Yokohama)
Ireland Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
Our Ireland Rugby World Cup guide.
Scotland Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
A team always improving, Scotland face a huge…
Russia Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
Russia's qualification for the tournament was a shock…
Samoa Rugby World Cup Fixtures, Squad, Group, Guide
Having to rely on a play-off win against…
Tour: Scotland played Japan twice in 2016 and won both contests (Getty Images)
Japan Rugby World Cup Squad
We will update this page with Japan’s Rugby World Cup squad at a later date.
Related: 2019 Rugby World Cup Fixtures
Previous World Cup Results and Record
Japan’s Rugby World Cup Record: P28 W4 D2 L22
- 1987 Pool stages
- 1991 Pool stages
- 1995 Pool stages
- 1999 Pool stages
- 2003 Pool stages
- 2007 Pool stages
- 2011 Pool stages
- 2015 Pool stages
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