First Sakura Fifteen 2025 Training Squad Announced – 2025 Tours And Tests Lined Up

rugbyasia247 Posted On January 23, 2025

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The Japan Rugby Football Union has announced the first 36-member Sakura Fifteen Training Squad to assemble in March 2025 following the 11th Japanese National Women’s Rugby Championship Final. The national women’s side has also unveiled part of their schedule for the year culminating in the Rugby World Cup 2025.

Japanese Women’s Head Coach Lesley McKenzie and the squad will assemble the JAPAN BASE in Fukuoka for their first training camp of the year in March 2025. The JRFU said via a press release that “2025 is set to be a hugely important year for the women’s game, these 36 players will get the first opportunity to impress the Sakura Fifteen’s coaching team.”

There is no news yet from Asia Rugby about the competition schedule for this year, but the Japanese should be involved in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship with Hong Kong China and Kazakhstan before the biggest tournament of the year as a final squad will head to England for the Rugby World Cup 2025 in August.

Lesley McKenzie said, “Firstly, I want to thank the clubs and universities. You have been tireless, innovative, and incredibly supportive of your players, our program, and the growth of women’s fifteens here in Japan. Thank you for your investment, your commitment, and your time spent in ensuring the game is healthy, fit, better than ever, and growing in Japan.

She added, “To supporters and fans, we have seen an increasingly competitive national club schedule that will provide a fantastic final at Chichibunomiya on February 2. The quality of the club game reflects the momentum that women’s fifteens has acquired. The games are fast, entertaining, skilled and abrasive. It’s great to watch, isn’t it? Thank you for coming to the games. We are all looking forward to Mie Pearls taking on Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix in the final.”

Sakura Fifteen 2025 Training Squad – March 2025

Within the Sakura 15s squad announced by Mckenzie, there are six players from Mie Pearls and 8 from defending champions Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix selected.

JRFU Sakura 15s Squad Composition:

Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix – 8
YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars – 7 (Kanako KOBAYASHI is listed as a player for the UK-based Exeter Chiefs too)
MIE PEARLS – 6
ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA – 6
Nanairo PRISM FUKUOKA – 2
Nippon Sport Science Univirsity – 2
Japan Univ. of Economics – 2
YOKOHAMA TKM – 1
BRAVE LOUVE – 1
Hokkaido Barbarians Diana – 1

First Sakura Fifteen 2025 Training Squad - March 2025

Image Credit – JRFU

The Japanese Head Coach said of the development of the game in Japan, “During my time coaching the national side I have seen a significant all-round development in the technical and tactical aspects of the domestic game. It’s been exciting to see the investment in fifteens by our Japanese clubs, who have played a massive part in creating difficult decisions around national team selections.

“There will be players deeply disappointed not to see their names here, including those who have been working hard this season, and those currently working hard in longer-term rehab. As a result—and due to the nature of our game—I do expect to see players move in and out of this training group, however, this is a strong core from which we will prepare to challenge results in our pool matches in England this summer.”

One omission we found surprising was the absence of Wakaba Okuni (nee Hara) who was the top try scorer for the Japan Sakura 7s side and we have been told has chosen to focus on the 15s game this season but has not been selected. She was a try scorer in the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix semifinal win.

Japan Sakura 15 2025 Schedule

Aside from several camps to be held at the JAPAN BASE in Fukuoka, the JRFU confirmed the following potential matches in 2025:

April 12-27 – North America Tour (details TBC)
Not announced but we think the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship is likely to be played in May 2025.
July 8-27 – Domestic Final Training Camp and domestic test match
August 2-12 – Italy Tour
August 13-September 20 – RWC 2025