It’s the festive season but there are still games played in all three Divisions in round 3 of the JRLO this weekend from 23-24 December 2023 – we preview all the matchups in Japan.
Division One JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 3 Fixtures
Robbie Deans, and his five-time champions Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, host Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium on Saturday with the visitors looking for Christmas luck as they arrive having only picked up one bonus point this season after two rounds.
Both sides have rung the changes for the clash, with internationals Marika Koroibete (Panasonic) and Nathan Hughes (Ricoh) starting on the bench in round 3.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars (another undefeated team), travel to Aichi to tackle Toyota Verblitz in another Saturday fixture and the hosts will want to get back to winning ways. Coach Steve Hansen will want to see Rugby World Cup winners, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, and Pieter Steph du Toit, as well as Brave Blossoms skipper, Kazuki Himeno lead the charge.
Yokohama Canon Eagles host the winless Hanazono Kintetsu Liners to round out Saturday’s fixtures, and last season Yokohama put up a 74-7 win over the Liners.
Christmas Eve games see Toshiba Brave Lupus coach Todd Blackadder looking for his first title in Japan and his side has started this campaign with two wins – strengthened by the arrival of All Blacks Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell this season. Last weekend saw a fantastic crowd of 32,000 for the Fuchu derby victory over Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath.
In Round 3, Blackadder comes up against ex-Chiefs and Wallabies mentor Dave Rennie, who has had a promising start at Kobelco Kobe Steelers also overseeing back-to-back wins over Mie Honda Heat and away to Shizuoka Blue Revs. Kobe has also been bolstered with NZ firepower via Ardie Savea and Brodie Retallick, with Ngane Laumape back from injury.
Defending champions Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay face Shizuoka Blue Revs, while Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath clashes with Honda Heat.
Saturday December 23 2023
- Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights v Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo; Kumagaya, 12pm
- Yokohama Canon Eagles v Hanazono Kintetsu Liners; Yokohama, 2.10pm
- Toyota Verblitz v Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars; Nagoya, 2.30pm
Sunday December 24 2023
- Mie Honda Heat v Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath; Suzuka, 12.10pm
- Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay v Shizuoka Blue Revs; Osaka, 2.30pm
- Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo; Kobe, 3pm
(All times shown are for Japan)
Brief highlights of all JRLO matches will be available here.
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- Image Credit: JRLO
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- Image Credit: JRLO
Division Two JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 3 Fixtures
Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi and Red Hurricanes Osaka face off in Division 2 of the JRLO – which is an unlikely top-of-the-table clash. Coached by Matt Cockbain, the Red Hurricanes have beaten Kyuden Voltex and Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves.
The James Gaskill-led Shuttles will want to continue their run, knowing that Urayasu DRocks lie in wait next, and the DRocks beat them three times last season.
Urayasu D-Rocks and NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu have both suffered losses this season and the former head to Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves, while Kyuden Voltex (also winless) head to the Green Rockets.
Saturday December 23 2023
- NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu v Kyuden Voltex; Kashiwa, 12pm
Sunday December 24 2023
- Japan Steel Kamaishi Seawaves v Urayasu D-Rocks; Fukushima, 12pm
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi v Red Hurricanes Osaka; Nagoya, 2.30pm
Division Three JRLO 2023-2024 – Round 3 Fixtures
Although we are entering the third round, the Chugoku Red Regulions debut this season and face dual international Lima Sopoaga’s e Blue Sharks who have opened their 2023-2024 account with a loss.
Another Christmas Eve fixture pitches log-leaders Hino hosting bottom-placed Kurita Water Gush Akishima.
The Mazda SkyActivs are beneficiaries of a bye and a Christmas break.
Saturday December 23 2023
- Chugoku Red Regulions v Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks; Hiroshima, 1pm
Sunday December 24 2023
- Hino Red Dolphins v Kurita Water Gush Akishima; Gunma, 12pm
How To Watch JRLO
Matches from the JRLO can be seen in Africa on ESPN Africa, as well as in New Zealand via TVNZ, and in some regions on World Rugby’s global rugbypass.com website.
The full fixture list for this JRLO season can be seen here.
JRLO 2023-2024
- NTT JRLO Season 2023-2024 – Who Is Involved?
- JRLO 2023-2024 Round 1 Preview.
- JRLO 2023-2024 Round 2 Preview.
- JRLO 2023-2024 Opening Round – By The Numbers.
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