Japan U20 Side Named to Face New Zealand in Junior World Championship Opener
The JRFU is delighted to announce the Japan U20 side to face New Zealand in their opening match of the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championships in Georgia this Saturday, June 27. Kicking off at 15:30 local time, 20:30 JST, the action takes place at AIA Arena in Kutaisi, three hours’ drive west of the Georgian Capital Tbilisi.
Following their match against New Zealand, Japan will then take on their remaining Pool B rivals in Italy and Scotland, with all matches taking place in Kutaisi. Japan face Italy on Thursday, July 2 with a 20:30 kick-off local time (01:30 JST Friday, July 3). Their final pool match against Scotland kicks off at 20:30 Japan time on Tuesday, July 7. Following their pool fixtures, Japan will play an additional two games as part of the semi-finals and play off matches to decide their final placing in the 16-team competition.
Running from June 27 to July 19, the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championships brings together the world’s best U20 national teams to fight it out for the right to be crowned 2026 Junior World Champions.
Commenting ahead of their opening match, Japan U20 Head Coach Naoya Okubo said:
“We’re coming into the tournament well prepared after our forwards’ training camp in February, our sessions with League One teams and the JAPAN XV, and our tour to New Zealand. From our first-year to our third-year students, we are all united in our determination. The guys have been giving 100% every day to prepare for our opening match, while also enjoying their time together in Georgia. The atmosphere and mood among the squad is excellent.”
Fans in Japan looking to catch the match can tune in live to J Sports One from 20:20 or can stream the match live or watch via catch-up through J Sports On-Demand.
| No. | Name | Club Team | Height (cm) | Weight(kg) | DOB |
| 1 | Songha RI | Doshisha Univ. | 178 | 103 | 2006/2/28 |
| 2 | Sota MIURA | Teikyo Univ. | 177 | 102 | 2006/10/2 |
| 3 | Haruto SASAKI | Meiji Univ. | 176 | 111 | 2006/5/2 |
| 4 | Kotaro KUMAGAE | Meiji Univ. | 196 | 105 | 2006/10/30 |
| 5 | Masato HYAKUTAKE | Meiji Univ. | 187 | 108 | 2006/4/24 |
| 6 | Riku FUJIKUBO | Teikyo Univ. | 181 | 100 | 2006/7/17 |
| 7 | Kise SIN | Keio Univ. | 175 | 93 | 2006/5/17 |
| 8 | Masato YANASE | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 184 | 102 | 2006/6/28 |
| 9 | Soshi KATAOKA | Ritsumeikan Univ. | 172 | 70 | 2007/10/12 |
| 10 | Takeru NIWA | Doshisha Univ. | 172 | 75 | 2006/10/1 |
| 11 | Isa FUKADA | Tsukuba Univ. | 172 | 80 | 2006/12/12 |
| 12 | Tsunehidemichi FUKUDA (C) | Teikyo Univ. | 171 | 76 | 2007/5/17 |
| 13 | Rio IWAKURA | Yamanashi Gakuin Univ. | 177 | 90 | 2006/8/5 |
| 14 | Shinnosuke UCHIDA | Tsukuba Univ. | 167 | 73 | 2006/7/6 |
| 15 | Ryuto KOGA | Meiji Univ. | 184 | 86 | 2006/7/17 |
| 16 | Seia KAWANAI | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 177 | 98 | 2006/11/23 |
| 17 | Keigo ARUGA | Teikyo Univ. | 171 | 102 | 2006/7/18 |
| 18 | Kanta KAWAGOE | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 181 | 110 | 2006/9/22 |
| 19 | Taiga YAMAZAKI | Keio Univ. | 189 | 103 | 2006/10/5 |
| 20 | Chikara FUKUDA | Kwansei Gakuin Univ. | 178 | 100 | 2006/11/28 |
| 21 | Keigo SATO | Chuo Univ. | 169 | 68 | 2008/2/24 |
| 22 | Yuki KOBAYASHI | Keio Univ. | 168 | 75 | 2007/2/19 |
| 23 | Gentaro SAKATA | Kindai Univ. | 172 | 72 | 2008/1/23 |
(C) Game Captain