Mie Pearls Appoint Renee Woodman-Wickliffe as Head Coach For XV Season

One of the leading Japanese Women’s rugby clubs, Mie Pearls, has announced the appointment of former NZ Black Ferns 7s and XV Rugby World Cup winner Renee Woodman-Wickliffe as the new XV Head Coach. She has been with the club for the past two seasons as Assistant Coach. The club also announced the opening of their new clubhouse.

Renee Woodman-Wickliffe and her long-time partner, Portia, both joined the club in 2024: Portia as a player for one season and Renee as Assistant Coach. She now takes the mantle following the conclusion of the domestic 7s season, as Conor Hirini announced he has left the Head Coach role.

Renee said via the club, “I am thrilled to be able to reach even greater heights as a coach this season. Pearls has given me the wonderful opportunity to take on a new role as a head coach, one that challenges me to grow and challenge myself. I am truly grateful for this opportunity.

We are particularly looking forward to working with the team and supporting each and every player to maximise their individual and team performance. We will be looking forward to seeing how the season unfolds and to all the challenges and opportunities that come our way. Now, it’s time to start an exciting season.”

The last time the Mie Pearls won the All-Japan Women’s Rugby Football Championship XV title was in 2021. The Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix won it for four consecutive years, during which the Pearls were losing finalists twice. Last season, the Yokohama TKM won their first title.

The couple were recently in the USA for the final Test of the Rugby Greatest Rivalry series between the All Blacks and the Springboks to help promote the sport.

Pearls New Club House

On September 11th, the club also held an opening ceremony and viewing event for the Pearls New Club House, which was attended by the Mayor of Yokkaichi, Tomohiro Mori, member of the House of Representatives, Hideaki Kawasaki, as well as partners and sponsors.

Photo Credit – Mie Pearls

Sakura XV Members 2026 – Mie Pearls

The club currently has four members in the Japan Women’s Sakura XV touring squad of Italy and Ireland, which includes WXV Global Series 2026 matches.

Prop Wako Kitano has had stints with the Leicester Tigers in the PWR and with the ACT Brumbies in the 2026 Swyftx Super Rugby Women’s season.

• Wako Kitano
• Nijiho Nagata
• Saya Nakamura
• Sora Nishimura

Photo Credit – Mie Pearls

Japanese Rugby News 2026

• 2026 World Deaf Rugby 7s Championship – Everything You Need to Know.
• JRFU Announces Women’s National Teams Slogan – “Bloom Hope”.
• Head Coach Yumeno Noda and Captain Arisa Nishi Reflect on Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix 7s Season.
• JRFU Appoint Toshizumi Kitagawa As the New Sakura XV Head Coach Before WXV 2026.