Brave Blossoms vs Canada – Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2026 Match Preview

The Japan Brave Blossoms will mark JRFU’s 100th anniversary match on Saturday, September 5, at Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata City, by facing Canada as part of the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup.

Japan hosted their first-ever Test match in Osaka on January 31, 1932 (a 3-3 draw), and when Japan and Canada last played in the PNC in 2025, the Brave Blossoms ran out as 57-15 winners on August 30th at Yurtec Stadium.

In total, they have squared off 27 times, and Japan have won 17, Canada 8, and there have been 2 draws (according to World Rugby – JRFU has slightly different stats). Japan, though, have not lost once in the past ten matches to Canada.

This match is also significant as it will be the first time in 18 years that Niigata has welcomed an international test rugby match. The previous game was Japan vs Hong Kong in the Asia Five Nations tournament at the 40,000-capacity stadium.

This year, Canada, in their 2026 Nations Cup matches, drew with Spain 42-42, lost to Portugal 14-38 and beat Zimbabwe 23-19. They are currently ranked 24th, whereas Japan are 12th.

The last time Canada beat the Brave Blossoms in Japan was in 2005.

Photo Credit – JRFU – Brave Blossoms vs Canada PNC 2025

Eddie Jones has selected a familiar team and pack; all of the players have been involved this Test season, even though there are five changes to the team that lost the Test away to Australia. They will want a morale-boosting win as they are now on a four-match losing streak since beating Italy.

The absence of captain Warner Dearns is the most noticeable one. The starting locks are Jack Cornelsen and Harry Hockings. The front row is stable, and the loose forwards will consist of Kanji Shimokawa (who missed the recent Wallaby game), Ben Gunter, and Faulua Makisi.

Naoto Saito and Ryunosuke Ito again start in that 9-10 combo in a familiar-looking backline. There is a start and debut for Inoke Burua, who has been good in the JRLO and a real battering ram even though he is on the right wing. Takuro Matsunaga retains the fullback jersey.

Among the reserves, Takumi Inaba, the Shizuoka Blue Revs prop, could get his first cap, and Esei Haangana could earn just his second.

Canada Head Coach, Australian Stephen Meehan, said the touring team is without players such as Evan Olmstead (Nissa Rugby – Top 14), Tyler Ardron (Castres – Top 14), and Andrew Quattrin (Valence Romans – Pro D2), who are unavailable for selection due to club commitments.

The side has only won 2 of their past ten Tests and drew once, but they do come into this off the back of a win over Zimbabwe. They have only won two of their last 17 Tests, and their last win in Japan was two decades ago, so the match is stacked against them,

Lucas Rumball captains from number 8, leading the Canadians for the 37th time and earning his 68th cap. A handful of players are also making their first starts: Foster DeWitt, Kyle Steeves, Liam James and Daragh Doyle,  while Ben LeSage and  Isaac Olson play their first Tests this year.

The touring group includes 5 uncapped players in the 32-man group: Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa Irish) & Bryce Worden (Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club) are both among the reserves.

Match Permutations

• Japan cannot improve their ranking if they win.
• If the hosts lose. they will drop to 13th
• A draw would see Canada climb two places to 22nd
• If Canada win by more than 15 points, they would go to 21st.

Japan Brave Blossoms Squad vs Canada – September 2026

More of the squad can be seen here from the official JRFU release.

Canada Squad vs Japan Brave Blossoms – September 2026

The matchday squad from Rugby Canada can be seen here.

Starting XV

1. Sam Miller (Mount Denson, NS) – Valley Rugby Union / Benfica SL (7 caps)
2. Foster DeWitt (Courtenay, BC) – Westshore RFC / Peñarol Rugby (7 caps)
3. Kyle Steeves (Winnipeg, MB) – Winnipeg Wombats / Hunter Wildfires (8 caps)
4. Daragh Doyle (Québec City, QC) – Clontarf FC (2 caps)
5. Izzak Kelly (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC / SL Benfica (16 caps)
6. Mason Flesch (Cobourg, ON) – Cobourg Saxons / Chicago Hounds (23 caps)
7. Siôn Parry (Cardiff, WAL) – Rhiwbina RFC / Ebbw Vale RFC (19 caps)
8. Lucas Rumball (Scarborough, ON) – Balmy Beach Rugby Club / Chicago Hounds (67 caps)
9. Jesse Kilgour (Oro-Medonte, ON) – Barrie RC / Aurora Barbarians (1 cap)
10. Cooper Coats (Halifax, NS) – Halifax Tars RFC / UVIC Vikes (23 caps)
11. Liam James (Vancouver, BC) – University of British Columbia / UBCOB Ravens (2 caps)
12. Ben LeSage (Calgary, AB) – Calgary Canucks / New England Free Jacks (39 caps)
13. Isaac Olson (Vernon, BC) – Castaway Wanderers (7 caps)
14. Kyle Tremblay (White Rock, BC) – Bayside RFC (7 caps)
15. Takoda McMullin (White Rock, BC) – University of British Columbia / Bayside RFC (7 caps)

Reserves 

16. Dewald Kotze (Edmonton, AB) – Strathcona Druids RFC / Rotherham Titans (15 caps)
17. Emerson Prior (Brockville, ON) – Brockville Privateers / Westshore RFC (8 caps)
18. *Bryce Worden (Sussex, NB) – Burnaby Lake RFC / West Harbour Rugby Club (0 caps)
19. Barnaby Waddell (Exeter, ENG) – Okehampton RFC / Camborne RFC (2 caps)
20. Cody Nhanala (Ottawa, Ontario) – University of British Columbia (2 caps)
21. Jason Higgins (Cork, IRE) – Cork Constitution (30 caps)
22. Spencer Jones (Cambridge, NZ) – Hamilton Old Boys (17 caps)
23. *Jamie Armstrong (Ottawa, ON) – Ottawa Irish (0 caps)

Match Officials

• Referee: Morgan White (HKCR)
• Assistant Referee 1: Jordan Way (RA)
• Assistant Referee 2: Francesco Cammisa (HKCR)
• TMO: Matt Rodden (HKCR)

How To Watch Japan Brave Blossoms vs Canada

In Japan, the match will be broadcast on Nippon Television Network, J SPORTS 1, and Hulu.

Asian Rugby News 2026

• Canada Men’s Rugby XV Squad Announced for 2026 Japan Tour.
• Hong Kong China Men’s XV Will Play Two November 2026 Nations Cup Tests in Europe & One Home Test.
• Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. Extends Support to 2026 WXV Global Series.
• Brave Blossoms 2026 Home Tests and Venues Confirmed.