English PREM clubs target Saitama and Japan hooker Kenji Sato
Saitama Wild Knights and Japan hooker Kenji Sato has a host of suitors in England’s PREM Rugby competition according to British newspaper the Daily Mail.
Sato, 23, has 14 caps for his country and has been named among the Brave Blossoms’ replacements for Saturday’s evening’s Nations Championship clash against England.
The Kanagawa native, who was moved from number eight to hooker by Waseda University in 2022, scored a try for the Japan XV team against the Maori All Blacks in 2024 before turning professional by joining inaugural League One winners Saitama.
Sato’s impressive club form last season and his growing importance in Jones’ squad, alongside Kubota Spears’ Hayate Era and Toshiba Brave Lupus’ Mamoru Harada, is now attracting attention from English sides.
“Japanese hooker Kenji Sato is understood to be on the radar of several PREM clubs,” reported Nik Simon in the Daily Mail.
The 5ft 11in, 17-stone Sato, a protege of Japan legend and Saitama captain Atsushi Sakate, has made 31 League One appearances.
Former Japan internationals Kensuke Hatakeyama, Amanaki Mafi (both Newcastle Falcons), Christian Loamanu (Leicester Tigers), Ruan Botha (London Irish) and Kensuke Iwabuchi (Saracens) have all played in the PREM in modern era.
Sato’s Saitama will kick off their League One campaign against Samu Kerevi’s Urayasu D-Rocks on Saturday 12 December.
Comments