Rugby

Japan Rugby Squad to Kick Off November Tour Against Ireland

The Brave Blossoms, who are 13th in the world rankings, are also scheduled to play rugby matches against Wales and Georgia in the Autumn Nations Series.

by
Ed Odeven
February 20, 2025

The Japan rugby national team's schedule for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series was unveiled on Wednesday, February 19.

Brave Blossoms head coach Eddie Jones' squad will compete against Ireland, Wales and Georgia on three consecutive Saturdays in November, the Japan Rugby Football Union announced.

Japan is set to face Ireland, which is No 2 in the current world rankings (February 17), on November 8 in Dublin to kick off the European tour.

It will be a formidable challenge for the Brave Blossoms, according to Jones.

"We're delighted to be able to finish the year with three great test matches," Jones said, according to the JRFU website. "In terms of their work rate in attack, Ireland is the most consistent team in the world and their defense is world-class."

After the showdown with Ireland, the 13th-ranked Brave Blossoms are penciled in to face No 12 Wales on November 15 in Cardiff.

Jones considers the Welsh capital to be a spectacular locale for a rugby test match.

"Playing Wales in Cardiff is one of the great experiences in world rugby ― nestled in the center of the city, the atmosphere is arguably the best in the world," the Japan national team boss commented.

Wrapping up its Autumn Nations Series tour, Japan will face 11th-ranked Georgia at a to-be-announced venue in the Eastern European nation.

Jones is impressed with the upgrades Georgia has made of late.

"Georgia is by far the most improved team in the world ― historically strong forwards are now aided by increasingly adventurous and skilled backs," Jones said. "This will be a fitting way for the team to finish the year with what will be a tour of a lifetime."

Rugby Notes

Before the Autumn Nations Series, Japan is already scheduled to appear in five matches in 2025.

The opener: Japan XV vs Maori All Blacks (non-capped match) on June 28 at Tokyo's Prince Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground.

On July 5 and 12, Jones' squad is set to face Wales at Kitakyushu's Mikuni World Stadium and Kobe's Noevir Stadium.

In a Pacific Nations Cup fixture on August 30, Japan and Canada are lined up to play at Sendai's Yurtec Stadium.

And on October 25, it's Japan vs Australia at Tokyo's National Stadium.

Additional matches for the Brave Blossoms are expected to be added to the squad's 2025 schedule.

Japan was the runner-up at the 2024 Pacific Nations Cup, falling 41-17 to Fiji in the final on September 21 in Hanazono, Osaka Prefecture.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.