Japan star Naoto Saito replaces Sam Cane as Suntory captain

Former Toulouse star Naoto Saito has replaced All Blacks centurion Sam Cane as Suntory Sungoliath’s captain for the 2026-2027 season.

The two-time Top 14 winner, 29, has returned to Fuchu-based Suntory this summer after two seasons in France with star-studded Toulouse.

Saito playing against Toyota in 2024 - © JRLO

Saito captained Eddie Jones’ Japan to Pacific Nations Cup glory this month in the absence of Super Rugby winner Warner Dearns who was rested.

The ex-Sunwolves scrum-half first joined Suntory in 2020 from Waseda University and has made 50 appearances for the 2017 Top League winners prior to his stint in France.

New head coach Keisuke Sawaki, a legendary one-club man who spent his entire playing career with Suntory, has now made his first major call since replacing former Japan fly-half Kosei Ono in June.

Sawaki today named Saito, who made 22 appearances for Toulouse, as his new club captain as they aim to challenge for the League One title.

Saito served as co-captain during the inaugural League One season in 2022 which remains their best campaign in the fully professional era having narrowly lost the final to Saitama Wild Knights.

The world-class Japanese dynamo has been an ever-present for the Brave Blossoms this summer and was integral in his country’s season-opening win over Italy and their Pacific Nations Cup triumphs over USA and Fiji.

Saito was named Player of The Tournament as Japan beat Fiji in the PNC Final © World Rugby

Vastly-experienced Saito, who has tightened his grip of Japan’s number nine jersey since his return, reacted to his appointment as Suntory’s captain for the new season which starts on Saturday 12 December.

“I’m Naoto Saito, and I’m honoured to have been named captain for this season,” he said in a press release.

“Since winning the title in the 2017-18 season, we have been unable to reclaim the championship, but this year we want to finally win it by staying united, heading in the same direction and continuing to improve day by day.

“As captain, I will take greater responsibility than anyone else and give everything I have to lead the team in a positive direction. We will fight together as one team throughout the season so that we can give all our Sungoliath fans, who always support us, some good news at the end of the season.

“We look forward to your passionate support once again this season.”

Suntory has underperformed in the League One era despite boasting some of the competition's best domestic and international talent.

The club finished fourth last season before losing their play-off semi-final to Dave Rennie’s eventual champions Kobe Steelers and were edged out by Saitama in the third-place play-off.

Irish wing James Lowe has been recruited to replace Springboks superstar Cheslin Kolbe who produced arguably the best form of his club career last season.

Suntory’s remaining category C players (foreign Test players) are Cane and ex-Wallabies international Sean McMahon.

The club has not announced their vice-captain but Cane, who joined the Japanese side in 2023 following New Zealand's Rugby World Cup final loss, will be expected to be among the front-runners along with veteran hooker Kosuke Horikoshi and Japan internationals Kanji Shimokawa and Shogo Nakano.

Cane is contracted to Suntory until June 2027 when he will be 35. His vice-captains last term were Australia-born lock Harry Hockings and Japan legend Yutaka Nagare, who has retired to take up a coaching role with the club.

Suntory opens their pre-season schedule against Saitama on Saturday in Kumagaya.