Japan - Page 3 of 55 - News, interviews, reports, analysis and opinion

Women's International

/ 4 months ago

Women’s World Cup Team of the Weekend: Red Roses duo headline XV whilst Canada star scores six tries

The opening weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup delivered high drama, record-breaking scores, and unforgettable moments. England set the tone...

By Charlie Elliott

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Social Media Moments of the Week: Argentina make history and Ardie Savea transfer rumours swirl

It was a weekend that underlined rugby‘s capacity for drama, with headlines coming thick and fast across the globe. Records were...

By Charlie Elliott

Blindside - rugby transfers

/ 4 months ago

Newcastle Red Bulls swoop to recruit fly-half Boeta Chamberlain

Newcastle Red Bulls have signed South African fly-half Boeta Chamberlain from Blue Bulls. The 26-year-old will move to Kingston Park on...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Ireland vs Japan Preview: Edel McMahon – I’m just buzzing to be back

Ireland co-captain Edel McMahon has returned from injury to lead her country into their tournament opener against Japan today. The Exeter...

By Ben Jaycock

Columnists

/ 4 months ago

Nick Cain: Steve Borthwick must not select this Bristol Bok, Benhard Janse van Rensburg

Benhard Janse van Rensburg is as South African as “boerewors”, and the idea of the Bristol centre being picked by England,...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Club Rugby

/ 4 months ago

Glory boys for the glory days: Brendan Gallagher’s all-time Saracens XV

What would be the greatest All-time XV your club could field if you could travel back in time and select everybody...

By Brendan Gallagher

Features

/ 4 months ago

Allan Dell: I was proud of what I achieved in rugby

The former British & Irish Lions, Scotland, Natal Sharks, Edinburgh, London Irish & Glasgow prop reflects on his life in rugby...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Pacific Nations Cup 2025: Dates, Where to Watch, Squad Lists & First Round Preview

The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup is set to begin this weekend, with a lot at stake in one of the most...

By Charlie Elliott

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Biggest Weekend Talking Points: Springboks looking for revenge + Women’s World Cup begins

The stage is set for another exciting weekend of rugby, with the Women’s World Cup beginning, as well as the second...

By Charlie Elliott

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

No spending spree at Newcastle Red Bulls, says Steve Diamond

Steve Diamond will not be going on a spending spree after Newcastle’s takeover last week by Red Bull ended years of...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Black Ferns setting the bar high

POOL C PREVIEW NEW ZEALAND HEAD COACH: Allan Bunting CO-CAPTAINS: Ruahei Demant, Kennedy Tukuafu AFTER their unforgettable 2022 triumph on home...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

We will fight for every minute, vows coach

HEAD COACH: Juan González Marruecos CAPTAIN: Laura Delgado RETURNING Spain are on an upwards trajectory having secured qualification by winning the...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Monaghan: Fire is burning in us

IRELAND HEAD COACH: Scott Bemand CO-CAPTAINS: Edel McMahon, Sam Monaghan SPEARHEADED by back row dynamo Aoife Wafer, returning Ireland head into...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

McKenzie sets her sights on reaching quarter-finals

HEAD COACH: Lesley McKenzie CAPTAIN: Iroha Nagata JAPAN head into the World Cup full of momentum on the back of a...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Chris Hewett

/ 4 months ago

Chris Hewett: France and England lead charge for 2027 World Cup

The last time the World Cup was played out on Australian soil, a little over two decades and a thousand poison-dart...

By Chris Hewett

Features

/ 4 months ago

Joe Santamaria: Uruguay closing in on World Cup 2027 spot

Joe Santamaria talks to coach Rodolfo Ambrosio about their potential RWC2027 showdown with Chile Having featured in the first-ever World Cup...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 4 months ago

Jeff Probyn: Women’s World Cup accessing all areas is good for game

Just four days to go before the 10th Women’s Rugby World Cup kicks off in the stadium of Light in Sunderland,...

By Jeff Probyn

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Pete Ryan: Freddie Thomas set to be a star of the future for Welsh Rugby

A fresh slate for a proud rugby nation, new faces will be looking to make a massive impact. Steve Tandy will...

By The Rugby Paper Team

British and Irish Lions

/ 4 months ago

British and Irish Lions Chief: No quotas on squad selection

Andy Farrell has been given the green light to pack his squad with Irishman again – if he gets the Lions...

By Adam Hathaway

Chris Hewett

/ 4 months ago

Chris Hewett: Wallabies make the obvious choice with Giteau Law change

Inevitable. Had to happen. Written in the stars. Quite why the Australian rugby hierarchy spent so long umming and aaahhing about...

By Chris Hewett

Latest News

/ 4 months ago

Prem Rugby Transfers: Five key signings show way for Bath

Ben Jaycock assesses the comings and goings in the transfer market as the Premiership prepares for the coming season With the...

By Ben Jaycock

News Extra

/ 4 months ago

Diamond happy as Falcons sign Japan back rower

NEWS EXTRA NEWCASTLE have signed veteran Canon Eagles back rower Amanaki Mafi on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old Japan international previously...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 4 months ago

Paul Rees: George Skivington sets his sights on building another crop of Kingsholm legends

Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Premiership season, with the focus this week on Gloucester Gloucester did not win...

By Paul Rees

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Charlie Elliott: Louis Rees-Zammit set to light up rugby again after giving up on NFL dream

After 18 months away from the sport that first made him a star, Louis Rees-Zammit has announced his decision to return...

By Charlie Elliott

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Former Wales wing Louis Rees-Zammit announces return to rugby after leaving NFL

Former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit is returning to rugby after spending 18 months in the NFL. Rees-Zammit signed an active roster...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Steve Borthwick’s wishful thinking of trying Alex Dombrandt in the centres

It emerged this week that Steve Borthwick is chasing a similar “interchange” mirage as Andy Farrell, with the England head coach...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Features

/ 5 months ago

Paul Rees: Wales need dose of harsh reality

Paul Rees says Scotland's defence coach Steve Tandy is the right man to take over from Warren Gatland Wales' five month...

By Paul Rees

Features

/ 5 months ago

Ian Prior – Zimbabwe World Cup qualification puts the cherry on top

My life in rugby with Ian Prior, the former Reds, Brumbies, Western Force and now Zimbabwe half-back I have been fortunate...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

These young South Africans are the best in the business

I’VE watched just about every World U21 and U20 Championship since the year dot and would confidently pronounce South Africa’s winning...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Libbok joins South Africa’s Japan exodus

SPRINGBOK World Cup winning fly-half Manie Libbok has become the latest South African star to join Japan’s domestic leagues as he...

By The Rugby Paper Team

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Steve Tandy appointed as Wales’ new head coach

Wales have appointed Steve Tandy as their new head coach. The 45-year-old Welshman will become the permanent successor to Warren Gatland...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 5 months ago

Paul Rees: England’s aim must be 2027 World Cup final

Paul Rees says that Steve Borthwick's men must build on their series success in Argentina, and aim for glory at the...

By Paul Rees

Features

/ 5 months ago

Cuts are an admission of failure

THE goings-on in Wales bring to mind the book Agatha Christie said was the one she found the most difficult to...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Columnists

/ 5 months ago

Paul Rees: With the stars they have, Harlequins should be winning many more games

Paul Rees continues his summer series reviewing the Premiership season, with the focus this week on Harlequins It is only four...

By Paul Rees

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Summer Internationals Team of the Week: All Blacks dominate in big win over France

International rugby action took place for the second weekend in a row over the past few days, with the Summer Series...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Rugby’s Social Media Moments of the Week: Rassie Erasmus and Springboks produce new controversial tactics

The second full weekend of summer rugby took place, and, as always, there were plenty of things to talk about after...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Wales 31-22 Japan: Dan Edwards has last word to snap historic losing streak

Japan ..................... 22pts Tries: Takeuchi 40, Dearns 58, Riley 61 Conversions: Lee 40, 61 Penalty: Lee 23 Wales ......................31pts Tries: Adams...

By The Rugby Paper Team

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Newcastle’s Best XV: Falcons set to rule the roost

What would be the greatest all-time XV your club could field if you could travel back in time and select everybody...

By Brendan Gallagher

Columnists

/ 5 months ago

French Column: Top c14 lubs getting back in the swing

The Top 14 final brought the curtain down on the 2024/25 French rugby season just 15 days ago, with Toulouse lifting...

By James Harrington

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Charlie Elliott: Best head-to-head matchups of the weekend

Following some big games last week, teams playing in series now have a good gauge on their opponents, and those touring will have acclimatised to...

By Charlie Elliott

British and Irish Lions

/ 5 months ago

Weekend Talking Points: Final audition for the British and Irish Lions

The dust has now settled on the summer’s first weekend of international rugby, and now teams get to do it all over again. ...

By Charlie Elliott

Latest News

/ 5 months ago

Rugby’s Social Media Moments of the Week: Wales’ streak continues and George Ford makes history

With rugby‘s Summer Internationals starting throughout the weekend, there were some interesting storylines surrounding the teams and players involved. It was almost an endless...

By Charlie Elliott

International Rugby

/ 5 months ago

Japan 24-19 Wales: Woeful Welsh are humiliated one more time

Japan .....................24pts Tries: Matsunaga 15, Nakasusu 58, Vaikea 70 Conversions: Lee 15, 58, 70 Penalty: Lee 63 Wales ......................19pts Tries: B...

By The Rugby Paper Team