Number of Asian Rugby Partnerships Signed Across Multiple Markets

There have been a number of Asian rugby partnerships and MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) signed across Asia in November 2024 which will hopefully further grow and improve rugby in the region.

Feature Photo – Korea Rugby Union and Zimbabwe Rugby sign MoU in November 2024

Asian Rugby Partnerships November 2024

Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix Sign Partnership With USAP Feminin

𝐔𝐒𝐀𝐏 𝐅𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧, a leading French women’s rugby club in Perpignan have signed a partnership with one of the leading lights in Japanese women’s Rigby and current 7s and 15s national Japanese champions, Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix.

Via Instagram, the clubs said the partnership would “support female rugby practice and build sport and cultural exchanges between France and Japan. As part of this partnership, USAP Feminin will welcome several of the Japanese club’s players to France and there will be training projects carried out between the two teams.”

The clubs added, “USAP and Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix are delighted to announce a partnership with USAP Féminin to support women’s rugby and build sporting and cultural exchanges between France and Japan.”

Current Thailand Women’s Sevens Coach and CEO of the Phoenix, Yohei Shinomiya, told Rugby Asia 247 previously about the partnership.

Korea Rugby Union (KRU) Sign MoU With Zimbabwe Rugby

Following the African Champions, the Sables from Zimbabwe, beating South Korea 27- 22 in November 2024, Zimbabwe Rugby Union President Losson Mtongwiza has expressed their intentions to invite Korea in 2025 to play test matches with Zimbabwe, Uganda and Kenya.

The MoU was signed on November 16, 2024, and hailed by the KRU (Korea Rugby Union) as a historic first business agreement (MOU) for the development of rugby between the two countries. Via Instagram, KRU said the MoU was “a new starting point for rugby cooperation between the two countries.”

Photo Credit: KRU

The Korean Men’s XV side is also due to have a camp in Japan in December 2024, as suggested by some media reports, in preparation for the crucial Asia Rugby Men’s Championship 2025, which also serves as the 2027 RWC Qualifiers.

• Korea is also hoping the upcoming Netflix series “Rugged Rugby – Conquer Or Die” which is due to premiere on December 10, 2024, will help raise the profile of the game.
• They also have a PR issue due to the allegations against former national team player, naturalised Korean Andre Jin Coquillard, following his arrest in July 2024, following a video showing him physically and sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend. He was also featured in another Netflix series called “Physical 100”.

It should be noted that the KRU hardly has any women’s rugby development, no national teams that we are aware of, and the national 7s and 15s Men’s team’s results have been progressively worse over the past two seasons.

One of the reasons we’ve been told there is a problem growing the game is concern from parents and female players due to the contact element of the game and possible injuries – so the Netflix trailer below will do little to address that.

JRFU Collaborate With Rugby Association of Maharashtra – Launch RUCK’ed

You can also read more on the joint collaboration between the Japan Rugby Football Union and the Rugby Association of Maharashtra ( a permanent member of the Indian Rugby Football Union) Youth Leadership Development Programme under the title RUCK’ed.

The Blues (NZ) and Rugby School Japan Launch Launch ‘Blues Global Rugby Academy’ in 2025

You can read more about the planned ‘Blues Global Rugby Academy’ to be held at Rugby School Japan’s world-class facilities in Chiba, Japan in July 2025 after the New Zealand Blues partnered with the school in Japan. 

We will keep you posted on any further Asian Rugby Partnerships which help shape the game in the region!

Rugby Development News

• Waisale Serevi Appointed Rugby India Sevens Head Coach.
• Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix Sign Partnership With Western Force.
• World Rugby and ChildFund Rugby Set For Next Phase of the Grassroots to Global Forums.
• ChildFund Rugby Confirm Additional Ambassadors.