Japan XV to take on Sunwolves in Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021

The Japan Rugby Football Union is excited to announce that the Japan Men’s National Rugby Team (Japan XV) will play the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021 against the Sunwolves on June 12, 2021 at ECOPA Stadium in Shizuoka, the stadium where Japan famously defeated Ireland in their pool match at Rugby World Cup 2019.

The Sunwolves, who were disbanded following the 2020 Super Rugby season, will reassemble on this special, one-off occasion to play a Japan XV playing for the first time since Rugby World Cup 2019. Effectively the Japan Men’s National Rugby Team, the Japan XV is fielded in matches without test match status. With Japan due to face the British and Irish Lions on June 26, at Murrayfield in Edinburgh, the match will play a vital role in preparing the Brave Blossoms ahead of their trip to Scotland.

Much loved by fans both in Japan and overseas, a reunited Sunwolves side was seen as the best team in Japan to challenge the Japanese national team. Made up of Japan based international players in the Top League and players not selected in the final national team squad, the Sunwolves will be coached by Naoya Okubo, currently Head Coach of the Japan Top League side, Yamaha Jubilo. Okubo joined the Sunwolves coaching team in 2018 and was Head Coach for their final Super Rugby season in 2020.

Commenting on the upcoming match, Japan National Team Head Coach Jamie Joseph said:

“We are delighted to play our first competitive match since resuming national team activities against the Sunwolves at ECOPA Stadium in Shizuoka, one of the great Rugby World Cup venues and the site of our historic win over Ireland. The Sunwolves made a massive contribution to Japanese Rugby during their time in Super Rugby, so it’s fantastic to see the team reassemble for this crucial match.

“I’m thrilled for our fans who have been waiting so long to see us once again take the field and I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making this game a reality. It’s a hugely important match for the national team ahead of the massive challenge of facing the British & Irish Lions in Edinburgh. We appreciate the ongoing support of all our fans and look forward to their strong support on matchday.”

Naoya Okubo, Yamaha Jubilo Head Coach and Head Coach of the Sunwolves for this one-off match commented:

“I am very much looking forward to reuniting the Sunwolves to play in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021 match against the Japan XV in Shizuoka. The Sunwolves were originally established with the express purpose of driving the development of the Japanese national team. With this philosophy in mind, I am delighted that the team will once again contribute to the preparation of the Brave Blossoms ahead of their historic match against the British

and Irish Lions. While this will be a one-off reunion for the Sunwolves, I am incredibly excited by the prospect of assembling the most powerful and skillful players in the country, to play against the Japan XV. I trust that all Sunwolves fans and fans of Japanese rugby will be looking forward to this great opportunity to see the Sunwolves take to the field once again.”

The Sunwolves’ squad, coaching team and staff will be announced in mid May and the team will then assemble in early June for a training camp, ahead of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021 match on June 12 at ECOPA Stadium, Shizuoka.

The Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2021 has been made possible with the support of the Japan Rugby Football Union’s Top Partner, Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings. Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings has supported the JRFU as a Japan National Team Official Sponsor since 2001 and Japan National Team Official Partner from 2016. In 2020 Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings extended their support by becoming the Rugby Japan National Team Top Partner. Furthermore, Taisho Pharmaceutical Holdings has supported the JRFU in bringing top international teams to Japan to face the Brave Blossoms as the sponsor of the Lipovitan D Challenge and Lipovitan D Challenge Cup since 2002.

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