The Japan National High School team end their tour of the UK this weekend at Iffey Road in Oxford with their biggest test and a match against the England U19s who beat them 52-47 last year in a game which saw 15 tries.
Feature Photo Credit JRFU – Japan HS vs Harlequins
On this 2026 tour, the Japanese played the Harlequins U19 and narrowly lost in the final kick of the game 36-38. The Japanese try scorers included Ryuta Hirao, Kohaku Suda, Loketi Bruceneol, Sora Hayashi, and Haruta Kukuho.
Japanese captain Loketi Bruceneol said after that loss and heading into this weekend’s match, “So we will train hard and prepare for the match against England. I am confident that if we can maintain sufficient stamina and come together as a team, we can beat England in the next match.”
Head of England Men’s Player Pathway Mark Mapletoft said, “We’re looking forward to another great occasion in Oxford and are eager to expose a talented cohort of players to a fresh and exciting challenge.”
They also defeated Wales in December 49-17. Mapleloft is supported by U18 Men’s head coach Jonathan Pendlebury, pathway scrum coach Nathan Catt and Duncan Taylor.
He added, “This weekend’s game serves as an avenue for pathway players to develop their skillsets with meaningful gametime on the international circuit, providing valuable minutes to players eligible for selection in the forthcoming Junior World Championship in Georgia.
Looking back as recently as December, and the number of players that have progressed out of the U19 programme to make their mark in an U20 shirt will be enough motivation for another exciting crop of players eager to learn to excel, perform and win for England.”
BUCS Super Rugby league champion Isaac Mears captains England scrum-half in his second appearance for the U19s.
RESULT: Japan National High School 45-31 England U19s
Japan National High School Team vs England U19 – March 21 2026
Japan National High School Team Squad
The JRFU announced the High School squad for the match against England U19s.
Number 8 Loketi Bruceneol was named as captain again, with the inside centre Fukuda Tsunehide Michi as vice captain.
England U19 Squad
Mark Mapletoft has named a 25-player squad to face the Japan National High School Team on Saturday, of whom 20 are uncapped.
How To Watch Japan National High School Team England Tour 2026
This match between Japan and England U19 will be streamed on YouTube.
Japan Rugby News 2026
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