Sakura Fifteen Team Announced for Second Ireland Test
Japan Head Coach Lesley McKenzie has today named the Sakura Fifteen team to take on Ireland in the second of their two test matches, this Saturday, July 27 at Tokyo’s historic Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, as part of the Taiyoseimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2022.
The Sakura Fifteen will be looking to move on from their 57-22 loss against Ireland last weekend in Shizuoka, as they play their final home test match before the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, which kicks off on October 8. Japan have won four of their six matches so far this year and will be looking for a strong performance this weekend as they prepare for the World Cup.
History will be made on Saturday when backrow-forward Seina Saito earns her 31st test cap for Japan, becoming the most capped Sakura Fifteen player ever. She is joined by Captain and tight-head prop, Saki Minami who earns her 25th cap.
Livewire scrumhalf Megumi Abe returns to the starting side after coming off the bench last weekend, while front-row reserve Sachiko Kato, who spent the last two seasons playing in England for the Exeter Chiefs, returns to the side for the first time since the Sakura Fifteen’s European tour, last November.
Sakura Fifteen Assistant Coach, Louise Dalgliesh commented:
“Last weekend was disappointing. There were areas of the game that we didn’t control the way we should have, including our discipline and defensive work. However, we were able to take some critical learnings, to make sure we’re moving forward towards the big picture of the World Cup. This week we will be better prepared, knowing where the Irish will try to play from and how they will approach the game. We will be more clear on our defensive responsibilities and make sure we don’t give them the same opportunities and space.”
Sakura Fifteen Assistant Coach, Louise Dalgliesh ©JRFU
Saturday’s match will be the final of the four-test match Taiyoseimai Japan Rugby Challenge series. In the series’ two earlier matches at the end of July, the Sakura Fifteen faced South Africa in Kamaishi and Kumagaya, winning the first match 15-6 and going down to the Springbok Women 10-20 in the second.
Saturday’s match kicks off at 19:00 JST and will be telecast in Japan from 18:45 JST on J Sports Two and available for streaming on J Sports On-Demand.
The Taiyosemei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2022 is being played at some of Japan’s most iconic rugby stadiums, all with their own unique history. Kamaishi, Kumagaya and Shizuoka were all Rugby World Cup 2019 venues, while Chichibunomiya is considered the spiritual home of Japanese rugby.
TEAM LIST
| No. | Name | Club Team | Caps |
| 1 | Saki MINAMI | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 24 |
| 2 | Nijiho NAGATA | International Budo Univ. | 7 |
| 3 | Yuka SADAKA | Hirosaki sakura ovals | 11 |
| 4 | Yuna SATO | Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix | 5 |
| 5 | Maki TAKANO | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 15 |
| 6 | Seina SAITO | MIE PEARLS | 30 |
| 7 | Iroha NAGATA | ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA | 14 |
| 8 | Ayano NAGAI | YOKOHAMA TKM | 9 |
| 9 | Megumi ABE | ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA | 9 |
| 10 | Ayasa OTSUKA | RKU GRACE | 8 |
| 11 | Komachi IMAKUGI | ARUKAS QUEEN KUMAGAYA/Rissho Univ. | 8 |
| 12 | Shione NAKAYAMA | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 6 |
| 13 | Mana FURUTA | Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix | 13 |
| 14 | Hinano NAGURA | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 9 |
| 15 | Rinka MATSUDA | Nippon Sport Science Univ. | 4 |
| 16 | Makoto LAVEMAI | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 16 |
| 17 | Kotomi TANIGUCHI | MIE PEARLS | 2 |
| 18 | Sachiko KATO | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 9 |
| 19 | Kie TAMAI | MIE PEARLS | 12 |
| 20 | Otoka YOSHIMURA | Rissho Univ. | 4 |
| 21 | Moe TSUKUI | YOKOGAWA Musashino Artemi-Stars | 18 |
| 22 | Minori YAMAMOTO | MIE PEARLS | 20 |
| 23 | Kyoko HOSOKAWA | MIE PEARLS | 6 |