# brave blossoms

All time

# brave blossoms

Japan learning to live with great expectations and the pressure of being marked men

The Brave Blossoms take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.

3.3k

Nov 5th 2021, 6:45 AM

# brave blossoms

Japan recall Kotaro Matsushima for Saturday's Test at the Aviva

Yu Tamura also named in Brave Blossoms side to face Ireland in the first Test of the November series.

4.2k

Nov 4th 2021, 3:34 PM

# Analysis

What will Ireland have picked out from Japan's only game since July?

Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown’s side are incisive and intelligent in attack.

5.7k

Nov 3rd 2021, 8:30 PM

# brave blossoms

James Ryan: 'That game in 2019 is probably one of the toughest I've ever played'

James Ryan is warning Ireland fans not to overlook Japan’s threat next weekend.

26.0k

Updated

Oct 30th 2021, 3:05 PM

# brave blossoms

'It's about belief in our game' - Japan are becoming rugby's great entertainers

Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown back their team to take risks and attack with intent.

5.5k

Jul 4th 2021, 9:34 PM

# brave blossoms

Keenan expects Ireland to 'have our hands full' against high-tempo Japan

The Leinster fullback is a keen admirer of the attacking talent in the Brave Blossoms squad.

4.6k

Jun 29th 2021, 6:02 PM

# the wait is over

After their World Cup heroics, Japan finally make a welcome return to the Test stage

After a difficult year, the Brave Blossoms are looking to make a big impression against the Lions.

3.1k

Jun 26th 2021, 8:30 AM

# brave blossoms

Japan name one debutant among team of World Cup stars to face the Lions

Jamie Joseph’s men haven’t played a Test since 2019.

2.7k

Jun 24th 2021, 2:08 PM

# Highlander

'I was more nervous about the haka than the game... It was a huge honour'

Japan star Kazuki Himeno is back on international duty after a season in New Zealand.

7.7k

Jun 24th 2021, 6:00 AM

# brave blossoms

World Cup star Matsushima set for 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' against Lions

The Clermont flyer is hoping Japan can pick up where they left off in 2019.

5.2k

Jun 23rd 2021, 7:00 AM

# brave blossoms

Joseph calls up Japan World Cup heroes for 'huge' Lions and Ireland games

Ex-Munster wing Gerhard van den Heever will be a familiar face.

9.1k

May 24th 2021, 8:22 AM

# brave blossoms

Gatland's Lions to face Japan before departing on South Africa tour

The game is set to be played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in June 2021.

5.9k

Oct 21st 2020, 8:00 AM

# gratitude

Rugby fans mob Japan's Brave Blossoms at victory parade

The hosts reached the quarter finals for the first time at this year’s World Cup.

8.6k

Dec 11th 2019, 11:00 PM

# re-signed

Joseph to take Japan to next Rugby World Cup, ruling out All Blacks role

The Kiwi led the Brave Blossoms to their first World Cup quarter-final last month.

5.7k

Nov 18th 2019, 8:12 AM

# Arigatou

Sayonara, Japan! Curtain comes down on a memorable World Cup

The Brave Blossoms’ stunning exploits were a real highlight over the past seven weeks.

6.5k

Nov 4th 2019, 2:00 AM

# Revenge

Farrell's Ireland to host Japan, Springboks and Wallabies in November 2020

The Brave Blossoms shocked Ireland at their home World Cup.

15.4k

Nov 3rd 2019, 7:57 AM

# Emotional

'We're a team of guys who aren't superstars' - Japan bow out with pride

Jamie Joseph’s team have won over neutrals from around the rugby world.

9.5k

Oct 20th 2019, 3:20 PM

# brave blossoms

'We're grateful for the opportunity to inspire Japan and we showed that'

Japan aren’t finished in this World Cup yet after setting up a quarter-final with the Springboks.

4.9k

Oct 14th 2019, 5:32 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

Japan v Scotland, Rugby World Cup

This match will determine who Ireland are to face in the quarter-finals, so we’re going minute-by-minute.

115k

Oct 13th 2019, 10:50 AM

# fame

'When I want to go out, I want to have a coffee, but it's impossible'

Michael Leitch can’t leave Japan’s team hotel without being mobbed by autograph-hunting fans.

22.8k

Oct 12th 2019, 3:05 PM

# brave blossoms

Scottish legal talk 'undermines' Japan's World Cup run, fumes Joseph

The fall-out from the cancellation of games at the tournament continues.

15.1k

Oct 11th 2019, 10:00 AM

# brave blossoms

Japan make three changes from Ireland win for showdown with Samoa

Michael Leitch returns for Saturday’s game but the captain’s armband is retained by Pieter Labuschagne.

6.3k

Oct 3rd 2019, 11:05 AM

# brave blossoms

'We had been preparing for this game for a hell of a lot longer than the Irish had'

Japan lit up the World Cup with sensational display in Shizuoka.

8.7k

Sep 28th 2019, 8:00 PM

# picked apart

'We got a 12-3 lead and we stopped playing to a degree': Schmidt laments penalty calls after shock in Shizuoka

Ireland conceded nine penalties, and Schmidt complained about four ‘tough’ offside calls.

13.9k

Sep 28th 2019, 11:25 AM

# brave blossoms

Japan need 'best game of their lives' as captain Leitch dropped for Ireland clash

Head coach Jamie Joseph was surprised not to see Johnny Sexton’s name in Ireland’s squad.

11.7k

Sep 26th 2019, 9:15 AM

# brave blossoms

'Key weapon' - Ireland's opponents Japan aim high at Rugby World Cup after naming squad

The hosts face Russia in the tournament’s opener on 20 September.

7.2k

Aug 29th 2019, 8:27 AM

# Movers and Shakers

Ireland's RWC pool rivals Japan rise to 9th in world rankings after impressive win over USA

Jamie Joseph’s side are in rude health.

10.1k

Aug 12th 2019, 4:40 PM

# Pool A

Japan captain Leitch 'quietly confident' as he faces World Cup pool with Ireland

‘Once we get out of (the pool) we’ve either got New Zealand or South Africa, and we’re not going to lay down for them either.’

5.8k

Jun 12th 2019, 9:05 AM

# brave blossoms

'If we are going to take the All Blacks down, then it is going to be tomorrow'

Japan’s New Zealand-born captain senses an opportunity against a weakened All Blacks team.

6.3k

Nov 2nd 2018, 10:52 AM

# kobe beef

'Both sides went at it furiously': Italy withstand Brave Blossoms fightback to end season with victory

Conor O’Shea’s men dominated the early stages and took a 19-3 lead before Japan were stirred into a reaction.

15.9k

Jun 16th 2018, 9:41 AM

# full flight

Three magic Keith Earls assists and all the highlights from Ireland's summer tour to the US and Japan

Not content with sealing a record for himself, the Limerick man assisted five tries for five different scorers.

10.1k

Jun 26th 2017, 11:29 AM

# top men

The big winners from Ireland's high-scoring summer tour

Ireland had some freedom to play in the US and Japan, but these men made the most of the chances.

19.9k

Jun 24th 2017, 6:30 PM

# big in japan

Overshadowed by Lions, but Ireland a joy to watch at tail end of historic season

The finale of a lengthy international campaign is your early-morning appetiser.

10.9k

Jun 23rd 2017, 1:59 PM

# inspiration + perspiration

All the little affirmations paying off as Andrew Conway revels chance to wear Ireland jersey

The Munster wing says he was not consistent enough to earn international recognition before this year.

6.6k

Jun 20th 2017, 6:03 AM

# Reaction

Conan's Barbarian rugby, new kids impress and more talking points from Ireland's big win

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup pool looks even more manageable after this morning’s seven-try rout.

11.7k

Jun 17th 2017, 8:47 AM

# record pace

Keith Earls on fire again as Ireland run 7 past Japan

Joe Schmidt’s side hit the 50-point mark for the second week running thanks to big displays from Earls and Jack Conan.

30.9k

Jun 17th 2017, 8:05 AM

AS IT HAPPENED

Japan v Ireland, summer tour

We’re getting in a pre-breakfast helping of international rugby. There’s plenty for everyone.

22.8k

Jun 17th 2017, 5:00 AM

# familiar feel

Solidity all important as Ireland tackle Sunwolves-laded Japan after heavy travel week

Experimentation has taken a back seat this week after five new caps were unleashed against the US.

5.0k

Jun 15th 2017, 4:19 PM

# brothers grin

'Great day for the family,' but whirlwind tour leaves little time for Scannell brothers to celebrate

Staving off jet-lag is the first job for Joe Schmidt’s squad after arriving in Japan yesterday.

6.7k

Jun 14th 2017, 7:51 AM

# repertoire

Ringrose will continue to hone kicking skills, but it may be a while before you see him with the tee again

The centre landed a beauty from the sideline in New Jersey, but it won’t necessarily become a regular occurence.

10.4k

Jun 14th 2017, 1:00 AM