Meiji University fly-half Ryunosuke Ito has shone for Japan in his three Nations Championship appearances as Brave Blossoms coach Eddie Jones has successfully unearthed his latest wonderkid. Ito caught the eye with an assured Japan debut as the hosts impressively beat Italy 27-10 at a sold out Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo in the opening round of the new tournament. © JRFU Fourth-year student Ito, 21, pulled the strings in a plucky Brave Blossoms display against Irela

Former Fijian Drua head coach Glen Jackson is set to join Japan’s coaching team, RugbyJP.com can exclusively reveal. Fielding, New Zealand-born Jackson, 50, left the Super Rugby side by mutual consent in April just weeks after stepping away from his role as an assistant to the Fijian national team under Mick Byrne. © Fijian Drua The former Saracens and Chiefs fly-half, who had a spell as a Test referee post-retirement, attended Japan’s impressive Nations Championship victory

Leinster's all-time record try scorer James Lowe is set to replace Springboks star Cheslin Kolbe at League One outfit Suntory Sungoliath, according to Irish outlet The 42. New Zealand-born Lowe, 33, confirmed his departure from the provincial side after nine years in Ireland in a post on Instagram on Tuesday. The 45-cap international, who failed to agree new deal with the URC finalists, said: "I find it difficult to put into words what Ireland means to me. "It's become so

Japan head coach Eddie Jones has criticised Ireland’s ‘power play’ in moving their Nations Championship fixture from Japan to a neutral venue in Newcastle, Australia. The Brave Blossoms launch their campaign in the new 12-team Tier 1 competition against Italy at Tokyo’s Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium on Saturday 4 July. Their round two 'home' tie against Ireland will take place in Australia rather than Japan, it was announced at the end of April. “You know why we’re playing Ire

Ireland star Bundee Aki’s cousin Larry Tipoa'i-Luteru has joined Graham Rowntree’s high-flying Urayasu D-Rocks. Samoa-born Tipoa'i-Luteru, 21, has arrived from Yokohama’s Kanto Gakuin University as an early-entry player. The powerful number eight is 6ft 3in (192cm) and weighs 18-stone-plus (119kg) which made him the tallest and heaviest member in the Kanto University League division one team’s squad. Kanto Gakuin’s co-captain can also play in the second-row and across the bac

Ireland star Bundee Aki’s cousin Larry Tipoa'i-Luteru is aiming to make a name for himself in Japan and represent the Brave Blossoms as he prepares to graduate from university and turn professional in 2026. Samoa-born Tipoa'i-Luteru, 21, is currently in his fourth and final year at Kanto Gakuin University in Yokohama. The barnstorming number eight is 6ft 3in (192cm) and weighs 18-stone-plus (119kg) which makes him the tallest and heaviest member in the Kanto University Leag