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Champions Toshiba pip Black Rams 45-44 in thriller
League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus produced a professional display to defeat a spirited Black Rams Tokyo side 45-44 in a pulsating...

Mark Pickering
Feb 22, 20254 min read


4 Things to Look Out for in Round Nine
1. Michael Hooper returns for Toyota Verblitz Ex-Australia captain Michael Hooper returns to top-flight 15-a-side action for the first...

Mark Pickering
Feb 21, 20254 min read


Michael Hooper - I'll bring energy and enjoyment to Toyota
Former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper will make his League One return for Toyota Verblitz on Saturday after being named in their...

Mark Pickering
Feb 21, 20252 min read


Brendan Owen – League One level is high
South African full-back Brendan Owen shone for Yokohama Canon Eagles on his League One debut against unbeaten leaders Saitama Wild...

Mark Pickering
Feb 19, 20252 min read


Tonga Rugby Union to open talks with Richie Mo’unga
Tonga Rugby Union is set to approach Toshiba Brave Lupus fly-half Richie Mo’unga over switching allegiances from New Zealand to represent...

Mark Pickering
Feb 18, 20252 min read


Mo’unga and Frizell’s Toshiba edge past Cane’s Suntory
League One champions Toshiba Brave Lupus outfought Suntory Sungoliath to win the Fuchu derby at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday....

Mark Pickering
Feb 15, 20254 min read


Japan Rugby donates equipment to Tonga Rugby Union
Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has donated equipment to the Tonga Rugby Union (TRU) as part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Sport...

Mark Pickering
Feb 14, 20252 min read


Sam Cane - I have a lot to contribute at Suntory
Former All Blacks captain Sam Cane is set to return to action for Suntory Sungoliath in Saturday’s Fuchu derby against champions Toshiba...

Mark Pickering
Feb 14, 20252 min read


Player of The Match winners
RugbyJP presents the Player of The Match winners from the weekend (1 and 2 February) in every League One game. Division 1 Division 2...

Mark Pickering
Feb 5, 20251 min read


Q&A with Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix’s Iroha Kishimoto
RugbyJP spoke to Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix tighthead prop Iroha Kishimoto ahead of the 11th National Women's Rugby Football Championship Final...

Mark Pickering
Feb 2, 20252 min read


EXCLUSIVE - Pieter-Steph du Toit deregistered by Toyota Verblitz
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has been deregistered by Toyota Verblitz after undergoing shoulder surgery in South...

Mark Pickering
Jan 28, 20252 min read


Injury update on Pieter-Steph du Toit
World Rugby Player of The Year Pieter-Steph du Toit has undergone shoulder surgery in South Africa and will be sidelined until at least...

Mark Pickering
Jan 22, 20252 min read


Richie Mo’unga to see out Toshiba contract until 2026
League One champion and Most Valuable Player (MVP) winner Richie Mo’unga will see out his existing Toshiba Brave Lupus contract after...

Mark Pickering
Jan 22, 20252 min read


VIDEO - Best of Digby Ioane
Ex-Wallabies star Digby Ioane spent two seasons at Panasonic Wild Knights from 2017-2019. Watch the best highlights below from his spell...

Mark Pickering
Jan 22, 20251 min read


No Cross-Border series in 2025
The Cross-Border Rugby series between League One and Super Rugby sides will not be held in 2025. While the decision was made and...

Mark Pickering
Jan 9, 20252 min read


Aaron Smith sees Joseph Manu as a future All Black
World Cup-winning scrum-half Aaron Smith believes that his new Toyota Verblitz teammate Joseph Manu is an All Black in the making....

Mark Pickering
Jan 9, 20252 min read


RugbyJP picks a veteran JRLO XV
Could this team of veteran players be competitive in Japan Rugby League One? What do you think of the team? Let us know on social media...

Mark Pickering
Jan 8, 20251 min read


Smith’s Shizuoka outlast Dynaboars to maintain unbeaten start
Kwagga Smith’s Shizuoka Blue Revs maintained their perfect start to the new season by outlasting Kurt-Lee Arendse’s Mitsubishi Heavy...

Mark Pickering
Jan 6, 20253 min read


JRLO Round Three Team Lists
League One’s third round takes place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 January. The top-flight opens with two early kick-offs as winless Urayasu...

Mark Pickering
Jan 3, 20253 min read


TJ Perenara’s Black Rams upset Suntory
TJ Perenara inspired Black Rams Tokyo to their first win over League One powerhouses Suntory Sungoliath in 21 years with a a hard-fought...

Mark Pickering
Dec 28, 20242 min read
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