Japan Sakura Fifteens and Brave Blossoms 2025 Domestic Fixtures Announced
rugbyasia247
Posted On February 3, 2025
The JRFU has confirmed the first domestic Sakura Fifteens Women’s test matches before they head to the Rugby World Cup 2025, as well as the Men’s Japan XV and Brave Blossoms matches due to be played in 2025 in Japan.
Sakura Fifteens – 2025 Test Matches
Image Credit – JRFU
Confirmed Domestic Match Schedule 2025 – Sakura Fifteens
In February 2025, the JRFU confirmed that Japan will host Spain for a two-test series ahead of RWC 2025 – the fixtures are especially relevant as the two sides will face each other in Pool C in England on September 7, 2025, during the Women’s tournament. They will also play against Ireland and New Zealand.
Japan and Spain have faced each other three times previously, with the Europeans holding a 2-1 record over the Japanese women.
JRFU President, Masato Tsuchida said, “We are honoured to welcome the Spanish Women’s National Team – Las Leonas, a powerhouse of European rugby to Japan. With the Rugby World Cup coming to England in August, this year will mark a pivotal moment in the development of the women’s game worldwide.
The Sakura Fifteen will take centre stage, drawing greater attention than ever. Ahead of their departure to England, they will showcase the culmination of their progress in these send-off matches, vowing to excel on the global stage.”
2024 was a challenging year for Head Coach Lesley McKenzie and her Sakura Fifteen – with the team winning only three and drawing one of ten test matches.
Japan did retain the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship in 2024, and McKenzie said via the JRFU: “We don’t want to be at next year’s World Cup as participants, we want to be competitors. With the speed at which the international game is travelling, in terms of the shift towards professionalisation and centralisation, and teams becoming bigger, fitter, stronger, faster and with better skill levels, a lot of Japan’s traditional points of difference have been eroded. It’s a huge challenge for us to take that acceleration in our stride and to try and match it, and hopefully better it.”
- Japan Sakura Fifteen vs Spain – Saturday, July 19, 2025, Kitakyushu
- Japan Sakura Fifteen vs Spain – Saturday, 26 July 2025 Tokyo
In Janaury 2025, the JRFU confirmed the following potential Sakura Fifteens 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 matches vs Spain (Confirmed)
- August 2-12 – Italy Tour
RWC 2025 (confirmed) – August 13th – September 20th
- Japan vs Ireland – Sunday, 24 August 2025 @Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
- Japan vs NZ – Sunday 31 August 2025 @Sandy Park, Exeter
- Japan vs Spain – Sunday 7th September 2025 @York Community Stadium, York
The JRFU added that “further domestic fixtures will be announced as soon as details are finalised.”
Brave Blossoms & Japan XV 2025 Matches
Image Credit – JRFU
Japan’s national men’s fifteens sides, the Brave Blossoms and Japan XV, will see their schedule in 2025 start with a non-capped fixture between the Japan XV and Māori All Blacks on June 28 at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium.
In the first capped matches of the year for the Japanese men, the Brave Blossoms will host struggling Wales for a two-test series in Kitakyushu on July 5 and Kobe on July 12. Japan has only beaten the Welsh one time in 14 matches
Japan will then play host to Canada on August 30 in Sendai for their Pool B match in the 2025 Pacific Nations Cup – Japan were runners-up in 2024 losing to Fiji in the final. Japan leads the head-t0-hea over Canada, with 18 wins, 10 losses and 4 draws in the 32 tests played to date.
The most mouth-watering match will see current Brave Blossoms Head Coach Eddie Jones prepare his side for the visit of his former team, the Wallabies from Australia in a one-off test match on October 25, at Tokyo’s National Stadium. Japan is yet to beat the two-time World Champions in six attempts, and the Australians themselves are hosting the British & Irish Lions this year.
JRFU President, Masato Tsuchida commented, “We are looking forward to seeing the continued and accelerated development of a new generation of young talent through initiatives such as the JAPAN TALENT SQUAD 2025, set to launch in February. Additionally, Japan Rugby League One, which features many national team players, is becoming increasingly competitive, delivering matches of world-class calibre. We eagerly anticipate the national team’s matches from June, with a squad honed to perform at the highest level.”
In 2024, the Brave Blossoms finished the year with four wins from 11 test matches and Eddie Jones said; “At the last World Cup, Japan had the oldest squad, so we had to change the team and with that comes some pain. But we’re making a massive investment for the future. Going into the next World Cup we need a team with 500 to 600 caps – we’re currently playing with about 200. That inexperience has shown at crucial times – where a small moment is missed, possession is handed to the opposition, which then doubles in terms of its impact.”
Japan Men’s National Team Domestic Match Schedule 2025
Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2025
- Japan XV vs Māori All Blacks (non-capped match) – Saturday 28 June, 2025 – @Chichibunomiya Rugby Ground, Tokyo
- Japan vs Wales – Saturday 5 July, 2025 – @Mikuni World Stadium, Kitakyushu
- Japan vs Wales – Saturday 12 July, 2025 – @Noevir Stadium, Kobe
- Japan vs Australia – Saturday 25 October, 2025 – @National Stadium, Tokyo
Pacific Nations Cup 2025 (Pool B)
- Japan vs Canada – Saturday 30 August, 2025 – @Yurtec Stadium, Sendai
Japan Rugby News 2025
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