Japan XV falls to Gloucester

GLOUCESTER (Nov. 12) – Japan fell to their third straight defeat when they went down 40-5 to Gloucester at Kingsholm on Tuesday evening.

With test matches either side of the game against the English Premiership side, this was a Japan XV rather than the full national side, and the game allowed stand-in coach Scott Wisemantel the opportunity to blood a number of new and inexperienced players.

The Brave Blossoms got off to an ideal start when flanker Justin Ives rumbled over in just the second minute. But they were unable to add to the score as Gloucester’s quick backs ran in four tries in the first half to lead 26-5 at the break.

Charlie Sharples, who played in Japan in 2009 at the IRB Junior World Championship bagged a hat-trick, while fellow England international wing James Simpson-Daniel also crossed, with Rob Cook knocking over three conversions.

Japan dominated territory and possession in the second half but were unable to turn pressure into points, despite a good performance from Atsushi Hiwasa at scrumhalf and flashes of attacking flair from a number of players.

Unfortunately too many turnovers allowed Gloucester to keep their line intact and they scored the only points of the half through tries by Steph Reynolns and Matt Cox, with Cook again on target with the two conversions.

Japan head to Colwyn Bay, Wales, tomorrow for Friday’s test with Russia. They then travel to Madrid to take on Spain in the final game of their European tour on Nov. 23.