Brave Blossoms to Host England in Historic Test Match
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce that the Brave Blossoms will host England in Japan in the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup on Saturday, 22 June 2024. This announcement comes exactly one year ahead of this historic match, the first official test match to be played between the two nations in Japan.
England toured Japan in 1971, 1979 and 2003, playing against the Brave Blossoms twice during each tour. The two sides also met in 1987 at the Rugby World Cup in Sydney, and more recently at Twickenham Stadium in London in 2018 and 2022. While Japan came within three points back in 1971 and two points in 1979, they have yet to taste victory against England across the ten matches contested between the two sides. England and Japan are also set to face each other at this year’s World Cup in France, when they play their Pool D match on September 17 at Stade de Nice, in Nice.
Commenting on the announcement, JRFU President, Masato Tsuchida said:
“We are delighted to welcome England to Japan next year for this historic test match and to have the opportunity to test ourselves against one of the world’s best teams. The JRFU and Japanese rugby fans have great respect for English rugby and recognise England as the birthplace of our great sport. We fondly remember England’s performances at the World Cup in 2019, especially their incredible semi-final victory in Yokohama. English fans made a fantastic contribution to the atmosphere of the tournament, making up the largest contingent of visiting international fans. They left a wonderfully positive impression on the Japanese public, and we look forward to welcoming the team and English fans back to Japan and renewing the great rugby connection between our two nations.”
RFU Chief Executive, Bill Sweeney, said:
“We are delighted to announce England will play its first ever Test match against the Brave Blossoms in Japan. This is a landmark occasion for our two rugby nations. After hosting Japan twice at Twickenham Stadium in recent years, we’re eager to continue building our strong relationship with the JRFU. We have a lot of respect for Japanese rugby, and I know there will be mutual excitement between fans from both countries for this fixture.”
Further details, including the match venue, ticketing and broadcast information will be announced in due course.
Japan vs England Past Results:
November 12, 2022 (L) 13-52 London
November 17, 2018 (L) 15-35 London
July 6, 2003 (L) 20-55 Tokyo
July 3, 2003 (L) 10-37 Tokyo
May 30, 1987 (L) 7-60 Sydney (RWC 1987)
October 11, 1986 (L) 12-39 London
May 20, 1979 (L) 18-38 Tokyo
May 13, 1979 (L) 19-21 Osaka
September 28, 1971 (L) 3-6 Tokyo
September 24, 1971 (L) 19-27 Osaka
