Japan Brave Blossoms vs Italy Preview (July 2024)

rugbyasia247 Posted On July 19, 2024

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Japan Brave Blossoms vs Italy Preview (July 2024)

Eddie Jones’s Brave Blossoms are still looking for their first test win of 2024, after losing to England and Georgia, and Japan next face Italy on Sunday 21st July 2024 at Hokkaido – Sapporo Dome.

The two sides have faced each other 9 times and the Japanese have only won twice, so the record book and the recent results are not in favour of the hosts.

The 23-25 Georgia loss was widely seen as an upset, and the Japanese showed poor discipline, with 13 penalties conceded as well as the two cards.

Two players from Japan were suspended following citings after the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 loss to Georgia, with Saito Naoto receiving a three-game suspension and Shimokawa Koji, who received a red card, having a one-game suspension.

For Italy, they ended their winless record in the Pacific Islands at the ninth attempt by beating Tonga 36-14 last weekend in Nukuʻalofa. The Tongans also lost to Spain on Friday 19 July 2024.

Earlier in 2024, the Italians had finished fifth in the Guinness Men’s Six Nations 2024 (their best finish since they ranked fourth in 2013) with two wins, two defeats and a draw with new head coach Gonzalo Quesada in charge.

Christophe Ridley (England) is the match referee.

Match Permutations

Japan will move above Samoa into 13th place in the rankings if they beat Italy.
Portugal can move above Japan if they beat the Springboks in South Africa and if the Brave Blossoms lose.

RESULT: Japan 14-42 Italy