Japan Stifles Italy for the First Time Since 2018 in Nations Championship Rugby
Ryunosuke Ito impressed on debut as Japan scored three tries and limited Italy to one in a dominant opening Nations Championship win.
- On Saturday, July 4, 2026, Japan secured a 27-10 victory over Italy in Tokyo before a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 fans to open their Nations Championship campaign.
- Outside centre Juan Ignacio Brex gave Italy an early lead in the fifth minute, but Japan regained control through tries from captain Warner Dearns, Takuro Matsunaga, and Ben Gunter.
- Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada praised debutant fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, stating, "9 and 10 were really key players for them" despite the university student's lack of experience.
- Head coach Eddie Jones missed the fixture while serving the final game of a suspension from the Japan Rugby Football Union for abusing match officials in Australia earlier this year.
- The Nations Championship features 12 sides from both hemispheres, and Japan will next travel to Newcastle, Australia, to face Ireland in their second match of the tournament.
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29 Articles
Brave Blossoms Bloom: Japan Triumphs Over Italy in Rugby Showdown | Sports-Games
Japan defeated Italy 27-10 in a decisive rugby match at the Nations Championship in Tokyo. Japan's strategy centered on strong territorial play and effective kicking, leading to three tries against Italy's one. Despite their physical play, Italy struggled with unforced errors, aiding Japan's victory.
On the first day of the Championship of Nations, Japan easily won against Italy (27-10).
Radio France Internationale
France24Japan beat Italy 27-10 in Nations Championship opener
Japan fell behind but soon hit back against the Italians, who came into the game off the back of a successful Six Nations where they beat England for the first time. Jones was barred from the stadium as he served the last game of his four-match suspension from the Japan Rugby Football Union for abusing match officials on a tour of Australia earlier this year. Forwards coach Neal Hatley took his place and watched his side score tries through capt…
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