Sakura Fifteen Go Undefeated in Two-Test Series Against Spain

The Sakura Fifteen have taken another big step in their Rugby World Cup preparations following their two-test series victory over Spain in the Taiyo Seimei Japan Rugby Challenge Series 2025. The two wins see Japan run out to a five-match winning streak, with test victories over the USA, Kazakhstan and Hong Kong China already in 2025.

Japan defeated Spain’s Las Leonas 32-19 in the opening match in the southern city of Kitakyushyu on Saturday, July 19. They then followed this up with a 30-19 win in front of a solid home crowd at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in the centre of Tokyo on Saturday, July 26.

With both matches played in hot and humid conditions, it was Japan’s forward pack that showed its dominance in the first fixture, with all five tries coming from the front row. Starting loosehead, Hinata Komaki picked up a brace of tries within the first 20 minutes, before replacement hooker, Kotomi Taniguchi followed with an impressive three tries of her own.

Coming on with 20 minutes left to play in the match and with Japan trailing 13-19, the dynamic rake effectively sealed the match for her team as Las Leonas began to fade in the oppressively hot and humid conditions.

In the second match, Japan took command of proceedings early, going into the half time break with a 10-0 lead. They then pushed this out to a margin of 25-5 following a try to Misaki Matsumura on the right wing at the 60-minute mark. It was a great day for Japan’s wingers, with 23-year-old Mele Yua Havili Kagawa also scoring a brace from the left wing.

Spain stayed in the fight throughout the match, staging a two-try fightback within the final 15 minutes of the match. But it was too little, too late and when the hooter sounded, a jubilant Japan celebrated their series clean sweep.

Drawn together in Pool C at the upcoming Rugby World Cup, the two sides will meet for the third time this year when they face each other in what will be the final pool match for both teams in the northern English city of York on Sunday, September 7.

Commenting after the second match, Sakura Fifteen Head Coach Lesley McKenzie said:

“The balance of our situational judgment today was excellent. We made good decisions throughout the match, but at times we also made some simple things more complicated. There were also instances where we became too defensive, when we should have looked to attack more. Defeating Spain twice in a row was a challenge and since we’ll face them again at the World Cup, we need to keep working hard.”

The 32-member Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad will be announced on July 27 before the team flies out to Italy on August 2 ahead of their warm-up test match against Le Azzurre on Saturday, August 9 in Calvisano, 100 kilometres east of Milan. They will then head to England for their pre-RWC camp as they make their final preparations for their must-win opening Pool C match against Ireland on Sunday, August 24 at Franklin’s Gardens in Northampton.

Japan v Spain Historic Match Results

5 matches, 3 win and 2 losses

26 July 2025: 30-19 (W) Tokyo

19 July 2025: 32-19 (W) Kitakyushyu

16 July 2023: 19-27 (W) Guadalajara, Spain

12 May 2002: 62-0 (L) Barcelona, Spain (RWC)

11 April 1991: 32-0 (L) Llantarnam, Wales (RWC)

Sakura Fifteen Upcoming Match Schedule 2025

Saturday 9 August

Italy v Japan

Calvisano, Italy

Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 Pool C

Sunday 24 August

Ireland v Japan

Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton

Sunday 31 August

New Zealand v Japan

Sandy Park, Exeter

Sunday 7 September

Japan v Spain

York Community Stadium, York