In the lead up to the USA Women’s Eagles’ first WXV 1 appearance, the team will head to Japan for a two-match series against the Japanese Women’s Rugby National Team. It will be the first time the two sides meet on the pitch outside two Rugby World Cup appearances.
The first match will take place on Sunday, August 11, at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, with the second match following six days later, on Saturday, August 17, at ECOPA Stadium in Shizuoka. Streaming details will be confirmed soon.
The USA and Japan’s only meetings were at the 1994 and 2021 Rugby World Cups, both resulting in USA wins. A fast and intense Japanese side have shown improvements through the last years. Under strong leadership, the Eagles continue to develop their American style of rugby, and will look to keep their win streak against Japan while ramping up for WXV 1 in Canada this fall.
“The opportunity to play Japan in Japan is one that the playing group and staff are very excited about. We are very appreciative of the work that has gone into organizing this tour by USA Rugby, World Rugby, and the Japan Rugby Football Union. After the positive result against Australia, qualifying for the World Cup and WXV 1, we are hungry for a chance to get back out on the field and continue to build on the foundation that we have been able to set in place.
The Sakura 15 are a well drilled, fit team that is very technical and forces you to play well to beat them. We are excited by this challenge but confident in the work we have done and the chance to build on that through this preparation phase into the Japan series and beyond into WXV 1 in Canada. The players know they are competing for spots on the roster, and we are looking forward to some players outside the current squad putting their hands up, earning selection and allowing us to build our depth.”
2021 Rugby World Cup (held in 2022)
October 15, 2022 | 30-17 (W)
1994 Rugby World Cup
April 15, 1994 | 121-0 (W)
