Japan Rugby Union Team - Constant Improvement
Japan have come a long way in the world of rugby and are now a side that can battle among the best of them. The Japan rugby team played their first union international in 1932 and have played in every Rugby World Cup and are consistently the best nation in Asia.
They've won the Pacific Nations Cup on three occasions, including on the most recent occasion they've taken part in the competition, back in 2019.
Hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup really helped to boost the sport's exposure in the country, and the fans who attended the tournament were captivated, and this has rubbed off on the team's players, who continue to show a steady improvement.
Japan's success on the field of play during the 2019 World Cup finals should not be underplayed. As a reference point, Japan had only completed a total of seven wins against Tier 1 rugby nations before the tournament, and those came in the span of 50 years, and yet over the course of a few weeks, they had defeated both Ireland and Scotland to cap off a 100% pool phase record.
That was an astonishing leap to take and one that they'll look to emulate in 2023.
Japan Rugby World Cup Tickets
In 2023 Japan will be taking part in their tenth successive Rugby World Cup; in other words, they've taken part in every competition since the tournament began, and spirits will be high as Jamie Joseph's side look to build on the successes of 2019 when they hosted the competition.
The Kiwi coach has been in charge of the Japan rugby team since 2016, and he helped Japan to secure their first knockout phase finish in 2019 when came top of their pool, beating Ireland, Scotland, Samoa, and Russia to book a spot in the quarter-finals, where they were beaten by South Africa.
In 2023 Japan are pitted against England, Argentina, Samoa, and Chile and will feel capable of securing a top-two spot which would see them make the final eight in France.
Japan start their Rugby World Cup schedule on the 10th of September as they face Chile in Toulouse, they then face a much stiffer test as they take on England on the 17th of September at the Allianz Riviera in Nice. Next up will be Samoa on the 22nd of September which will be played at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne. Their final Pool D game sees Japan face Argentina on the 8th of October at the Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
