The Japan U23 rugby team, currently on tour in Australia, will play their final match on 15 April. Their opponent is Randwick Rugby, a prestigious club based in Sydney’s eastern suburbs and the former club of Japan head coach Eddie Jones.

This is the Japan U23 team's first overseas tour in 19 years, with the last one taking place in New Zealand in 2006.

The tour is part of the “JAPAN TALENT SQUAD Program 2025,” a national team development initiative aimed at identifying potential candidates for the 2027 Rugby World Cup, which will be held in Australia.

A total of 35 selected players have travelled to Australia for the tour.

We spoke with head coach Eddie Jones, as well as players Shota Taira and Chuka Ishibashi.

Listen to the full story on our podcast.

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Japan U23 rugby team set to take on coach Eddie Jones’ former club, Randwick

SBS Japanese

13/04/202507:00

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Shota Taira (left) , Eddie Jones (centre), Chuka Ishibashi (left)

Japan U23 vs Randwick

Kick-off: Tuesday, April 15 at 2pm, Coogee Oval

The match will open with a special performance by “Sakura Kids,” a Japanese cheerleading group based in Sydney.

For ticket details, click

here

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