Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks and Perpignan Sign Partnership

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks and French Top 14 club USA Perpignan have entered into a partnership which aims to exchange players and coaching training sessions in the future.

A media statement from the clubs said that “by sharing cutting-edge training methods and tactics, we aim to improve the team’s competitiveness and incorporate an international perspective.”

The Blue Sharks are currently in the Japan Rugby League Division 2, while USAP are 6-time winners of the French Championship.

Koichi Takikawa, General Manager of Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, said, “We are very pleased to announce our partnership with USA Perpignan, a traditional and powerful team in the French TOP14. We will actively share information in various fields, such as personnel exchanges between players, coaches and staff, and running an organisation that is closely connected to the local community and society, and we would like to build a continuous cooperative relationship for the development of both sides.”

USAP General Manager Bruno Rolland commented, “After initiating a first partnership between the women’s section of USAP and the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix, we are very happy to welcome the players and staff of SKBS in total immersion during the preparation for the start of the season of our professional team. We hope that everyone will have an enriching experience and that it will be a first step for many future collaborations.”

The Japanese club confirmed that players Haruki Matsudo, Tetsunori Osaki, Sanshiro Nomura, Koyo Adachi, Tatsuya Kanazuki, as well as staff, Head coach Hiroyuki Yoshihiro, Forwards coach Taro Gonjo, Forwards coach and analyst Takahisa Miyamoto, Backs coach Kazuhiro Sakamoto, and interpreter Conan Fujita will be with tge French club from July 21st  – August 21st 2025.

Former Japanese international Yohei Shinomiya is the CEO of the Phoenix and consults with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, and both clubs share training facilities.

In 2025, the USAP Women’s team and the Tokyo Sankyu Phoenix signed a partnership, which saw several of the Japanese players spend the season in France playing with them.

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks Extend Partnership with Taranaki Rugby

Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks have also extended a partnership with New Zealand club Taranaki Bulls. Koichi Takigawa, GM of Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, said, “I am very pleased to have signed a partnership agreement with the Taranaki Bulls for this season. I feel that the team has grown steadily through our partnership over the past two seasons.

By continuing to exchange personnel through coaching training and other means, we will absorb the world’s most cutting-edge rugby and build a stronger relationship by sharing information more than ever before, which will lead to the further strengthening and development of both teams.”

Japanese Rugby News 2025

• “We Want To Make It To The Knockouts at RWC 2025” – Sakura 15s Head Coach Lesley McKenzie.
• Sakura Fifteen Confirm Italy Fixture Ahead of RWC 2025,
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and JRFU Extend MoU on Scrum Project.
• Hong Kong China Rugby and Japan Rugby Football Union Signed an MoU at 2025 Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.