JRFU Appoints Simon Middleton As High-Performance Advisor To Sakura Fifteen

The JRFU has announced another high-profile coaching acquisition to their coaching staff as Simon Middleton, the former Head Coach of the England Women’s Fifteens Team and Sevens team, will be a High-Performance advisor for the Sakura Fifteen as they play matches in Spain before heading to South Africa for WXV2 in 2023.

The JRFU has confirmed the appointment is supported by World Rugby’s Technical Support Programme and Middleton brings invaluable experience and a winning mentality to the side. As part of the England Women’s Fifteens Team from 2015 to 2023, he won five Six Nations titles, including Grand Slams in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022, and he also guided the Red Roses to the Rugby World Cup finals in 2017 and 2022.

He stepped down after the RWC 2021 final loss to the Black Ferns in New Zealand which brought an end to a record-breaking run of 30 victories between 9 November 2019 and 5 November 2022.

Middleton said of the appointment: “It’s a great privilege for me to join the Japan National Women’s team and I’m really excited to work with Head Coach Lesley McKenzie, her staff and players.

Simon Middleton joins JRFU as  High-Performance Advisor To Sakura Fifteen

The Sakura Fifteen produced some strong performances at the recent World Cup, playing an exciting brand of rugby and have some extremely talented players. I feel very honoured to have been asked to work in the programme and to help support the Sakura Fifteen to continue to close the gap on the world’s top teams, as we head towards what promises to be an exciting WXV in October.”

Among Middleton’s accolades are winning World Rugby Coach of the Year (2021), being the first-ever women’s head coach to win the award, and being awarded an MBE for services to rugby in 2021.

Yoshiyuki Miyazaki, National Team Director added: “Bringing Simon into the Sakura Fifteen’s coaching team is an important step in our mission to accelerate the development and strengthening of the team and the wider women’s game in Japan….Simon will join Sakura Fifteen ahead of the team’s upcoming tour to Spain, will take part in domestic training camps in Japan and be with the team throughout the WXV this autumn in Cape Town, South Africa.”

JRFU have over recent years signed Englishman Simon Amor as the Men’s 7s Head Coach (also assisted by former England 7s players), while the current Sakura XV coach Lesley McKenzie is a former Canadian rugby union player. The Brave Blossoms are currently coached by Jamie Joseph until the RWC 2023, while soon-to-be Crusaders coach Rob Penney is currently the coach of the Japan U20 Men.

Japan Rugby News 2023

• Sakura Fifteen To Tour Spain in 2023.
• World Rugby U20 Championship Japan vs Wales Preview.
• Japan XV and Brave Blossoms 2023 Match Schedule.
• World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 – Complete Guide.