Lachlan Boshier: It would be exciting to get a Japan call-up

Saitama Wild Knights flanker Lachlan Boshier would welcome a call-up by Eddie Jones to play for Japan next year.

Boshier, 31, who starred in Saitama’s 46-0 demolition of champions Toshiba on Sunday with a try-scoring and industrious display, spoke for the first time since qualifying for Japan on residency grounds.

The ex-New Zealand u20s international left the Chiefs to join Saitama in 2022 and helped the Kumagaya outfit to win the inaugural League One title in his first season in Japan.

Boshier is an elite breakdown specialist with tremendous workrate and leadership qualities.

The New Plymouth native, who has made 60 appearances for Atsushi Kanazawa’s side, is now in his fifth season in Japan which has seen him move into Category A (Japan-qualified) for the 2025-26 campaign.

“It would be exciting to get a call-up for Japan,” Boshier told RugbyJP.com post-match.

“It would be a good opportunity. I don’t think anything changes for me, I want to get out there and play well and do my role.”

Japan is blessed with depth in their back-row including Boshier’s club teammates Ben Gunter and Jack Cornelsen who were both rested for the opening game.

“We’ve got a long season ahead and I just want to play well and do my part for the team," added Boshier.

“There's lot of good players in the Japan team so I’ll focus on my part and playing well and see what it leads to.”

Boshier, who scored the fourth and final try in the 76th minute, could join a strong Saitama contingent next year in Eddie Jones’ Brave Blossoms squad which includes hooker Kenji Sato, centre Dylan Riley and wing Tomoki Osada. 

Saitama hosts Graham Roundtree’s Urayasu D-Rocks in round two on Sunday.