Details Announced for Brave Blossom’s World Cup Warm Up Against Italy
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to confirm details on the match venue, kick-off time and broadcast information for the Brave Blossom’s Lipovitan D Tour 2023 match against Italy on Saturday, 26 August.
Japan will take on their hosts at Stadio Comunale di Monigo, the home of Italian powerhouse club, Benetton Rugby in Treviso in the northeast of Italy. Kicking off at 18:30 local time (01:30 on Sunday, 27 August, Japan Standard Time), the match will be broadcast live, nationwide across Japan on NHK & NHK Plus. It will also be shown live on WOWOW Prime and via catch-up on WOWOW On Demand.
Taking place two weeks ahead of their opening Pool D match against Chile on September 10 in Toulouse, this capped test match against the Azzurri will offer Jamie Joseph and the team an important hit-out against a quality European side as the Brave Blossoms prepare for their tenth Rugby World Cup.
The test match will be the ninth between the two countries since 1976, with Japan having won on two previous occasions, comparted to Italy’s six victories. In what is expected to be a fiercely contested match, the Brave Blossoms will be looking to improve their win-loss ratio against the Italians and build solid momentum ahead of the tournament in France.
Japan will compete in Pool D at Rugby World Cup 2023, taking on Chile on Sunday, September 10 at Stadium de Toulouse, in Toulouse. They will then face England on Sunday, September 17 at Stade de Nice, in Nice before returning to Stadium de Toulouse to take on Samoa on Thursday, September 28. The Brave Blossom’s final pool match will be against Argentina on Sunday, October 8 at Stade de la Beaujoire, in Nantes.
Japan vs Italy Past Results:
June 16, 2018 (L) 22-25 Kobe
June 9, 2018 (W) 34-17 Oita
June 21, 2014 (W) 26-23 Tokyo
August 13, 2011 (L) 31-24 Cesena
August 18, 2007 (L) 36-12 Aosta
June 11, 2006 (L) 52-6 Tokyo
July 4, 2004 (L) 32-19 Tokyo
October 21, 1976 (L) 25-3 Padova
