The Ultimate New Player Signings Guide for the JRLO 2025-2026 Division 1 Season

The new Japan Rugby League One (JRLO) 2025-2026 season sees Division 1 kicking off on December 13 for the 5th edition of Japan’s premier rugby union league. With dozens of new international and Japanese player signings, we preview all of the 12 clubs in the top flight in Japan, as well as what is new, the match officials, and the latest news for fans to stay engaged.

The top-flight regular season comprises 108 matches and will run until May 10, 2026, before the six-team finals series, which will be conducted over three weekends. The division is split into two conferences of six teams, and each of the sides plays interleague games between the two. 

The new season, despite some concern that the JRLO would attract fewer international players, is due to see a number of new stars compete with more rumoured for next season. 

• Ardie Savea returns to Japan and the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, and alongside Pieter Steph du Toit at Toyota Verblitz, and the recently crowned Malcolm Marx at Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay – the last three World Rugby Players of the year will all feature in League One this season.
• More than 50 foreign capped test players will feature in League One this season.
• 12 of the current world champion Springboks play in Japan.

We take a look at some of the biggest signings in Division One of the JRLO for this 2025-2026 season. 

Changes to JRLO Division 1 PlayOffs 2026

Japan Rugby League One has decided to change the format of the quarter-finals (two matches) in the playoff tournament for the 2025-26 season, which will run from May 23rd to June 7th, 2026.

• The top-ranked teams (third and fourth-placed teams in the league) will host these matches in their host areas or stadiums of their choice, instead of being played at a neutral venue.
• In previous playoff tournaments, all matches from the quarterfinals to the finals have been hosted and operated by JRLO and held at neutral locations.

With this change in format, for the quarterfinals of the 2025-26 season, the teams with the highest league results (third and fourth place) will be able to host and operate their matches in their host areas or stadiums of their choice.

NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 Playoff Tournament Dates

The playoff tournament includes the top six teams from the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 Division 1 league

• The quarterfinals will be held on Saturday, May 23rd and Sunday, May 24th 2026
• The semifinals will be held on Saturday, May 30th and Sunday, May 31st 2026
• The third-place match will take place on Saturday, June 6th, and the final on Sunday, June 7th 2026

The match venues and Kick-off times for the semifinals, third-place match, and final are scheduled to be announced around February 2026.

National Women’s Rugby Football Championship Semi-Final Co-hosting 

Like last season, there will be double-headers in Round 5 of the JRLO with the National Women’s Rugby Football Championship Semi-Finals.

The matches will be those below, with the Women’s teams to feature in the semifinals to be confirmed.

Saturday, January 17, 2026 – Nippatsu Mitsuzawa Stadium (Kanagawa)

• Kickoff: 12:00 – Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights
• Kickoff: 14:30 – All Japan Women’s Championship Semi-Final 1

Saturday, January 17, 2026 Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium (Hyogo)

• 12:05 PM kickoff – Kobe Steelers vs Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo
• 2:35 PM kickoff – National Women’s Championship Semi-Final 2

Player Criteria and Eligibility – JRLO

As a reminder, here is the latest on the changes to the JRLO Player Eligibility.

• Category A: Players eligible to represent Japan
• Category B: Players who have no experience representing a union other than Japan but may be eligible to represent Japan in the future.
• Category C: Players with representative experience from unions other than Japan.

JRLO 2025-2026 Division 1 Biggest Player Signings Conference A

All of the Division 1 fixtures can be seen on the JRLO  website.

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo

Coached by Todd Blackadder, the team is chasing a third straight title in the JRLO but has lost the services of 8 players from last season.

He said pre-season. “I’m confident in what our team has built. I’m pleased with this journey, where we’ve controlled what we can control at a high level.” His side will start the season as favourites, but achieving three titles in a row won’t be easy.

The seven-time Super Rugby-winning Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga will once again marshal the Brave Lupus challenge, as he has been confirmed until the end of the 2026 season, and then he will return to the Crusaders. The All Black fly-half is aiming for the three-peat with his team in his third season in Japan.

Blackadder said of Mo’unga, “He is in the best shape I have ever seen him in. Whether we talk or watching him practice, I can sense that he has a clear mind. I think he has a strong desire to leave something good behind for Toshiba. He has brought his family to Japan, and they are all enjoying Fuchu and Toshiba. His son was born in Japan last week.”

Warner Dearns has joined Super Rugby Pacific outfit the Hurricanes for one season, while Mamoru Harada has also left for Moana Pasifika. It’s likely it will be another All Black’s final season if he wants to have a crack at RWC 2027 with NZ- Shannon Frizell.

At a senior level, Masahiro Kunda is now the concurrently CEO, President and General Manager of the club. The former Brave Blossom earned 44 caps for the Japanese national team and participated in three Rugby World Cups (1991, 1995, 1999). Will Eggleston has joined as the Defence Coach from the Western Force.

The defending champions have been light on new signings, but a number of clubs have pledged to better develop local pathways and Japanese talent.

New Signings: Andrew Macario (Kintetsu Liners), Callum McDonald (Tokyo Sungoliath), Michael Stolberg (Black Rams), Netani Vakayalia (Black Rams), Teejay Clark (Wellington Hurricanes).

Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay

Frans Ludeke continues his role as head of the Japanese club he joined in 2016, and the runners-up last season will again call on the talented international services of Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx, who is now the World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year, and fly-half Bernard Foley, but have not announced many signings for the new season.

The club also had half a dozen players involved with the Brave Blossoms end-of-year tour: Keijiro Tamefusa, David van Zeeland, Tyler Paul, Maxi Faulua, Shinobu Fujiwara, and Yuya Hirose.

Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay has appointed Ryo Yamamura as Assistant Coach. As a player, he earned 39 caps for the Brave Blossoms, and as a coach, he has been with the Kurita Water Gash Akishima (Assistant Coach) from 2021-2024 and the U20 Japan National Team (Scrum Coach) 2024-2025.

They only had one player leave last season, and Shaun Stevenson, who featured them for a few games last term, has signed on for the whole season.

New Signings: Yasue Yoshimitsu (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars & Japan)

Kobelco Kobe Steelers

The big signings for the season include the return of former World Rugby Player of the Year Ardie Savea, who heads back to Kobelco Kobe Steelers after making 15 appearances for the Kansai-based outfit two seasons ago.

Dave Rennie remains as Head Coach and should be relishing the extra firepower this season.

Savea is joined by NZ test teammate Anton Lienert-Brown. The powerful centre replaces the departed Ngane Laumape (who was one of a dozen to depart) in Dave Rennie’s side. Both players have signed on for one-season sabbaticals from New Zealand Rugby.

Leinert-Brown said, “I’m really looking forward to this next chapter in my career – connecting with some old friends from my Chiefs days, meeting new teammates, and immersing myself in Japanese culture. I’ve always loved the warmth of the people and the incredible food, and I can’t wait to experience it all.

The team had 12 players leave after last season. The new Defensive Coach is Pete Murchie, who joins from Glasgow Warriors, and the co-captains are internationals Brodie Retallick (NZ) and Lee Seung-shin (Japan).

Retallick said, “We’ve had a fantastic preseason, and I look forward to showing you how much we’ve improved since last season’s third-place finish. We’ll continue to work hard to prepare for our opening game (against Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay).”

Seung-shin, who had an excellent Test year with the Brave Blossoms, added, “Last season was a season that boosted our confidence, but we ended the season with results that were far from our goal, and the entire team ended the season with disappointment. I will use that disappointment as motivation to play for everyone involved with the team and do my best to win the championship”

They have won the National Amateur Tournament nine times, the Japan Championship ten times, and the Top League twice, and will celebrate their 100th anniversary in 2028. Their slogan is “Rise Higher” for the 2025-26 season.

New Signings: Ardie Savea (All Blacks, Moana Pasifika), Anton Lienert-Brown (All Blacks, Chiefs), Ash Dixon (NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, Highlanders, Maori All Blacks), Neil Hansen (Lions SA), Mac Harris (Highlanders), Kavaia Tagivetaua (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi & Japan 7s)

Saitama Wild Knights

One of the biggest changes this season is that five-time title-winning coach Robbie Deans has moved into an Advisor role with former assistant coach Atsushi Kanazawa stepping up into the Head Coach position, and retired Shota Horie is the Forwards coach. 51 cap Wallaby Berwick Barnes has also joined as the Backs Coach – he was previously at the club as a player from 2013-2018.

Atsushi Kanazawa said, “I am honoured to be appointed head coach of the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. I would like to express my sincere respect and gratitude to former head coach Robbie Deans, who has led the team for so many years and achieved so much. The six seasons I spent under him were a tremendous learning experience for me. 

Although my role will change, I am thrilled to continue working with Robbie. While I feel a great sense of responsibility and weight in leading this historic club as the new head coach.”

8 players left after last season, a season in which the club failed to reach the finals for the first time. They had four losses alongside two draws, which is more losses than the Wild Knights had suffered in the first three years of League One combined! 

The club signed twins Jayden and Tristan Joubert, who went to a highly renowned South African school, Paarl Boys’ High School.

Jaden Joubert said, “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to join the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights. I am honoured to be a part of a team with such passion and dedication for rugby.”

New Signings: Jayden Joubert (South African High School Representative), Tristan Joubert

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars

The team signed a partnership agreement with Leicester Tigers last season and had the services of livewire Springbok Kurt-Lee Arendse for one campaign, but has has departed but have signed plenty of exciting talent for this season after 20 players left the club or retired at the end of last season.

Akira Ishii, General Manager, said, “The DynaBoars have continued to grow with the aim of becoming Japan’s best in 2027, but the 2024-25 season was a season in which we identified new issues.” They said they will focus on the three priorities of ‘players,’ ‘environment,’ and ‘people’.

Kyo Yoshida has been appointed as the new captain for the 2025-26 season, while the Head Coach is Glenn Delaney.

Yoshida said, “As captain of the DynaBoars, I feel the weight of the team’s history and responsibility. I want to achieve better results than last season and make this a season in which we rewrite the team’s history. Our goal is to be a team that “wins.” And not just win, I want to be a team that is gritty, intense, and embodies what it means to be a DynaBoars team.”

The biggest signing is that of Springbok RWC winner Lukhanyo Am. The Sharks player has 42 caps for SA and said of playing in Japan for the second time, “I am very excited to be joining Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara Dynaboars. I look forward to bringing my experience to the team and playing alongside my teammates and fans this season. See you all at the stadium!”

They have signed at least three Japanese players: Shunsuke Asaoka, Daiki Yamagiwa, and Yoshiki Yoshioka, one South African (Pieter Scholtz), and an Australian (Ollie Horne).

Horne, who has URC experience with the Glasgow Warriors, said, “This opportunity has been a dream of mine for a long time, and I’m incredibly grateful to become part of a club with such strong values, history, and passionate supporters. 

I’m excited to embrace the culture here, learn from everyone around me, and contribute to the environment that makes this club so special. I can’t wait to get to work with my new teammates and give everything I have, both on and off the field, to help the Dynaboars continue to grow.”

The club’s new slogan for the season is: “Dyna Forward – All Green Forward”.

All Black scrumhalf Brad Weber was strongly linked to sign with the club, and was confirmed after the first round was played.

New signings: Shunsuke Asaoka (Toyota Verblitz & Japan), Daiki Yamagiwa (NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu), Yoshiki Yoshioka (Shizuoka Blue Revs), Pieter Scholtz (Avilon-Bayonne), Ollie Horne (University of Technology Sydney, Manly Marlins, Glasgow Warriors), Gideon Koegelenberg (Benetton Rugby), Miyake Shun (Canterbury- NZ), Sasaki Hiyu (East Coast Boys RFC – NZ), Semisi Masirewa (Kintetsu Liners / Japan), Seru Jose (Kintetsu Liners/Hanazono Kintetsu Liners & Japan 7s), Lukhanyo Am (Springboks and Sharks), Brad Weber (NZ, Chiefs, Stade Français)

Urayasu D-Rocks

The club, which finished bottom of D1, has its third Head Coach in as many seasons, as former Wales Head Coach Warren Gatland was first linked to be the new coach to take over from former club player Greig Laidlaw, but in the end, Graham Rowntree was unveiled as the new Head Coach.

He said, “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead such an ambitious and proud club. The Japanese league is becoming more and more competitive every year. I look forward to driving an environment where we can change and adapt to be more competitive.”

Urayasu D-Rocks announced that Greig Laidlaw will be appointed as the new Executive Club Ambassador (but more recently also has filled a role with Scottish rugby.)

They have confirmed the addition of international players Manaaki Selby-Rickett (Maori All Blacks and Chiefs) as well as Quintin Strange (New Zealand U20, All Blacks XV, and Crusaders).

Manaaki Selby-Rickett said, “I am particularly impressed with the club’s philosophy, particularly its commitment to youth development through the Academy. This focus on youth development is essential to the growth of rugby, and I deeply respect this approach.

Japan holds a special place in my heart, and my experiences here have always been fantastic. I am also fortunate to be close friends with Otere Black and have grown up watching the great Ross Isaac.”

The club said of his signing, “His unique qualities include his offensive and defensive impact in lineouts, his physicality throughout the game, his ball-running skills that inspire the team, and his high work rate, all of which are essential for a modern rugby lock.”

The team will be captained by Ryuji Fujimura, and the team’s slogan is “Tough to Beat”.

At the conclusion of last season, as many as 16 players announced they had departed or retired – including Nathan Hughes, who had joined mid-season on loan. Johann Ackermann was an advisor at the club last season and is now the Lions coach in South Africa.

New signings: Manaaki Selby-Rickett (Maori All Blacks and Chiefs), Quintin Strange (New Zealand U20, All Blacks XV, and Crusaders), Motoki Sudo (Toyota Verblitz & Japan), Tamati Ioane (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Ryohei Yamanaka (Kobelco Kobe Steelers & Japan)

JRLO 2025-2026 Division 1 Biggest Player Signings Conference B

Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath 

The team still have the services of Springbok Cheslin Kolbe and has re-signed Brave Blossom international Tevita Tatafu, who signed on after two seasons with Union Bordeaux Begles, as well as several players from other clubs in the JRLO and from abroad.

George Hammond has joined from Harlequins in the Prem, as well as Kaleb Trask and Gideon Rampling (both from the Chiefs – NZ & Maori All Blacks), as they try and replace more than 16 players who left the club after last season.

Tatafu said, “I am really happy to be able to return to Sungoliath after two challenging years in Europe. It was a great experience for me to play against top teams and top-class players. I am very happy to be able to play for Sungoliath again and look forward to having a good season with the team. I will bring back what I learned in France and do my best to help Sungoliath shine.”

Sam Cane will captain the side, and newly capped for Japan, Harry Hockings is Vice-captain, along with Yutaka Nagere.

The former All Black captain said, We’ve got great leaders across the squad, and I see my role as helping bring everyone together. I know we can achieve something special this season”.

New signings: Shuhei Takeuchi (Japan and Urayasu D-Rocks), Kanta Ogawa (Yokohama Canon Eagles), Sam Jeffries (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Kazuki Ishida (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars), Quinton Mahina (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), George Hammond (Harlequins), Kaleb Trask (Chiefs – NZ & Maori All Blacks), Gideon Rampling (Chiefs – NZ & Maori All Blacks)

Black Rams Tokyo

The side just missed out on the playoffs after being led by former All Black scrumhalf TJ Perenara, but at the conclusion of the season, 13 players were announced to have left the club.

Among the new signings which have been made so far for the new campaign is Michael Allardice, who has been playing in Japan since 2020 and said, “My family and I are incredibly excited to start this new chapter with the Black Rams Tokyo. I look forward

to meet the fans, connect with the team, and experience everything Tokyo has to offer.”

Nick Suchong (NZ) has experience in the MLR in the US as well as in his native NZ (having played Super Rugby and NPC). Tomoya Adachi (Wales) said, “I am looking forward to adapting to the style of rugby in Japan and developing my skills to be the best version of myself.”

One of their players, New Zealand-born Brodie McCarran, has also acquired Japanese citizenship.

TJ Perenara will captain the side again, with Shuhei Matsuhashi and Yuki Ikeda as VC.

The former All Black said, “I’m honoured and privileged to be able to lead this great club. We have some amazing players and leaders here, so to be able to do this alongside them is exciting. We have a great opportunity this year to build on something we did last season and can’t wait to get out there and perform for our fans.”

Their slogan for the new season is ‘Ignite’, and they also (among dozens of new announcements across the clubs) confirmed they have entered a partnership with Villarreal CF (La Liga 1), a Spanish football club, to promote sustainability through education and development. This is League One’s first partnership with an overseas sports team other than rugby.

New signings: Kota Mitake (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Michael Allardice (Red Hurricanes Osaka), Nick Suchong (NPC Southland NZ), Tomoya Adachi (Dragons, Wales), Felix Kalapu (Waratahs), Rameka Poihipi (Chiefs – NZ)

Toyota Verblitz 

The club had a terrible season last campaign and heads into 2025-26 having signed All Black Mark Telea among a dozen other new signings, as Sir Steve Hansen, as Head Coach and Ian Foster as Co-Coach, try to turn things around.

Telea said, “I am very excited to join the Toyota Verblitz team. I can’t wait to meet my new teammates and reunite with Steve and Fozzy (Foster) as I contribute to the team this season. I am also looking forward to experiencing Japanese culture with my family and being part of the community on and off the field.”

9 players left at the end of last season, including Michael Hooper and Joseph Manu, after only one season with the club. Hooper has, however, signed on as a coaching consultant for the breakdown area.

General Manager Goto Akitomo said, “We will never forget the disappointment of finishing 10th last season, and all of our players and staff will fight as one to achieve the goals we have set for ourselves.”

New Signings: Taufa Latu (Black Rams Tokyo), Schalk Erasmus (Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay), Jone Kerevi (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi), Solomona Tyrell (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi), Lourens Erasmus (Urayasu D-Rocks), Harrison Goggin, Zach Gallagher (Hurricanes), Harry Bortolussi (Manly Marines), Aidan Morgan (Hurricanes – 2024), Mark Telea (All Blacks and Blues), Semisi Tupou (Black Rams Tokyo), Keisuke Moriya (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Hamdah Tuipulotu (Blues – NZ)

Mie Honda Heat

The club has announced several signings to bolster their chances of a better season ahead. Head Coach Ciaran Crowley’s notable addition is the addition of 13-cap Fijian international Tevita Ikanivere, who joins from the Drua. They need the numbers as 13 players left after the last campaign.

Tevita Ikanivere said, “I’m extremely grateful to the Mie Honda Heat for giving me this opportunity. My family and I are excited to move to Japan and become part of the Heat family. I look forward to contributing to the championship-winning Mie Honda Heat team and playing in front of their incredible Japanese fans and supporters.”

Japan 7s player Larry Sulunga re-signed with the club after previously announcing he would retire – he is one of a few Japan 7s players to sign on for the club.

Of note to fans in Asia, Ben Paltridge signed on from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars, where he spent the past 5 seasons – he has Thai and NZ heritage.

The Mie Honda Heat announced their captain and leader for the 2025-26 season would be former NZ U20 Waimana Kapa, their first-ever foreign captain. 

They also added several backroom staff, including Isak van der Westhuizen as Assistant Coach from the Cheetahs in South Africa. 

• Honda, the owner of the Mie Honda Heat club, also announced it acquired the naming rights to the 14,000-seat stadium, Tochigi Green Stadium, and it will be called the Honda Heat Green Stadium on a ten-year contract running until November 30, 2035.
• They also confirmed the extension of its strategic partnership agreement with Prem side Harlequins, which began in 2023.

New signings: Larry Sulunga, Haruto Takahashi (Kobelco Kobe Steelers), Tevita Ikanivere (Fijian Drua), Trevor Hosea (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Aseri Masivou (NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu and Japan 7s), Yuta Shirasaka, Rakuhei Yamashita (Kobelco Kobe Steelers and Japan 7s), Akauola Manu (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Yu Kawai, Ben Paltridge (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars), Kazuki Ban (Urayasu D-Rocks)

Shizuoka Blue Revs

Viliami Tahitua will serve as player and coach for the Shizuoka Blue Revs this coming season. He will have the bulk of the side from last year, as only 6 players announced they had left or retired.

They still have a good blend of international and local talent, with captain and Springbok Kwagga Smith a standout performer over recent seasons, which saw them reach the JRLO Division 1 play-offs for the first time last season. He will captain the side again this campaign.

They have most notably been bolstered with the signing of star Fijian Semi Radradra from the French Top 14. 

The player, who won gold with Fiji at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in rugby Sevens, said, “I am honoured to be joining the Shizuoka Blue Revs next season. Playing in Japan Rugby League One has always been my goal, and I am delighted to be joining a top club like the Blue Revs. I am highly motivated and will do my best to contribute to the team next season. I can’t wait to arrive in Japan, meet my new teammates and coaching staff and get started on pre-season training.”

The club boasts several players who have been capped by the Japan national side, and has promoted a number of youth players to the senior team. A backline includes the likes of newly capped Brave Blossom Sam Green, Charles Piutua, Sanele Nohamba, Valens Tefere and Radrada.

New signings: Semi Radradra (Fiji & Lyon), Daniel Maiava (Australian U-20 & Melbourne Rebels) 

Yokohama Canon Eagles 

The side that includes the likes of Springbok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and centre Jesse Kriel, will have a new Head Coach in the form of former All Black assistant Blues Head Coach and consultant at Western Force Leon MacDonald. As a player in Japan, he had stints with Yamaha (now Shizuoka Blue Revs) and Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.

MacDonald said, “Having played in Japan for a long time, I have longed to return to Japan, not only to reconnect with Japanese culture but also to contribute to the further development of Japanese rugby. The Eagles are a club with a proud history and passionate fans, and I am honoured to be a part of it. I believe success comes from hard work, team unity, and a common goal.”

He will have to rebuild as 9 players left at the end of last season and nearly as many staff. It was also announced that Brave Blossom Amanaki Mafi has signed on to join Newcastle in the Prem.

New Assistant Coaches are Dave Dillon, who was previously with U20 New Zealand, 

Highlanders and Kobe Steelers, Masahide Okazaki (Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo), and Shinichi Furukawa (Toyota Industries Shuttles).

Jesse Kriel will play his seventh season with the team and will captain them for the first time with Masato Furukawa as vice-captain. This is the first time in Eagles history that a foreign player will serve as captain.

Kriel, who also captained the Springboks for the first time in 2025, said, “It’s a huge honour to lead the Yokohama Canon Eagles. This club has become a special part of my journey, and I’m incredibly proud to lead such a talented and hard-working group of players. There are many strong leaders in the group that will form part and help steer the team in a winning direction.”

The side has also confirmed many new player signings for the new season, which include Dino Lamb, who has played for Italy 6 times. He said, “I am ready to work hard, contribute in every way, and continue to grow as both a player and a teammate. I look forward to integrating into the club’s culture, connecting with our incredible supporters, and giving my all for the team every day. I can’t wait to meet everyone at the club and experience everything that makes this team and Japanese rugby so special.”

New signings: Sam Caird (U20 NZ Rep), Yu Chinen (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars & Japan), Nesta Mahina (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners), Doichi Kaito (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Daichi Akiyama (Toyota Verblitz & Japan), Dino Lamb (Harlequins & Italy), Sione Lavemai (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath & Japan), Amanaki Saumaki (Yokohama Canon Eagles & Japan), Levi Aumua (Crusaders & All Blacks XV), Yuto Mori (Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo), Randall Baker (Blues, NPC Auckland, U20 NZ Rep)

Match Officials – JRLO 2025-2026

The referee panel for NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 consists of a 13-member referee panel that will be in charge of league matches, playoff tournaments, and promotion/relegation matches for NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 Division 1 (D1), Division 2 (D2), and Division 3 (D3).

Several of the match officials have taken charge of Test matches.

• Teruki Inanishi
• Ouchi Sota
• Kuwai Ano
• Kondo Masaki
• Toshimasa Sekiya
• Ibuki Tezuka
• Namekawa Takehito
• Nobuhara Rikito
• Tetsuya Hirakawa
• Furuse Katsuki
• Motonori Mizutani
• Yusaku Murata
• Yamauchi Kouki

For The Fans – Japan Rugby League One 2025-2026

Tickets to JRLO Matches

A ‘Ticket Rugby Official Resale Service’ has been launched on the official ticket site to allow for the safe and secure transfer of purchased tickets to other customers without worrying about fraud or resale, said the JRLO. Only certain clubs have signed up for this.

Japan Rugby App

The official Japan Rugby app, “JAPAN RUGBY APP,” has been significantly updated and the JRLO said it will be offering fans original content on the Japan Rugby League One and the Japan national rugby team. 

You can download the app here.

Digital Trading Cards

The JRLO has partnered with VOLZ, which develops and operates digital trading card services for professional sports teams and leagues. This season the co-creation partnership will launch a new Japan Rugby League One official card collection, “JAPAN RUGBY LEAGUE ONE DIGITAL TRADING CARD.

Brave Lupus also announced their Digital Trading Cards of the players and added there “are plenty of features that allow fans to interact with each other, such as card trading with other users, rankings, and friend functions!”

JRLO Merchandise

We have seen some amazing merch in the JRLO, but mostly only available in Japan. These include a range of player bobble heads!

Disney’s beloved Mickey & Friends Series – JRLO

Japan Rugby League One will release collaboration merchandise for the 12 teams in League One Division 1 as part of the Mickey & Friends series, with characters to have special designs dressed in team colours as limited-edition merchandise.

Available from December 2025, products include key chains, stickers, drawstring bags, pouches, canvas totes, face towels, muffler towels, T-shirts, and long-sleeved T-shirts for the 12 Division 1 Teams: Urayasu D-Rocks, Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay, Kobe Steelers, Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Shizuoka Blue Revs, Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath, Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, Toyota Verblitz, Mie Honda Heat, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars, Yokohama Canon Eagles, Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo.

Broadcast Partners – JRLO 2025-2026 Division 1 

We have seen the availability of the JRLO to regional and international audiences change each season. So far, nothing has been agreed for matches to be shown on RugbyPassTV as per last season, and some of the regional broadcast deals are unconfirmed.

We expect more to be announced with increased international interest in the JRLO, but these are the officially confirmed broadcast partners for 2025-2026.

J SPORTS

Since the start of League One, J SPORTS has been a business co-creation partner for the local audience in Japan, and this season has signed an official partnership agreement, further expanding League One’s reach.

They will broadcast all Division 1 and Division 2 matches, and J SPORTS On Demand will stream all matches, including Division 3, live. 

Other Japanese Broadcasters

For the first time, Tochigi Television, Shizuoka Daiichi Television, Sun Television, and Saga Television will broadcast a League One match in Japan.

DAZN

For 2025-2026, the league has partnered with DAZN, which will broadcast live all matches of the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-2,6, including 108 matches in Division 1, 56 matches in Division 2, and 45 matches in Division 3, as well as the playoff tournament and promotion/relegation matches. 

DAZN is available in Japan, Taiwan, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Canada, and the United States, and also operates a global platform available in over 225 countries and regions.

Sub-Saharan Africa – ESPN Africa

ESPN Africa will be showing all Division 1 matches and all 6 matches from the Playoff Tournament at the end of the season.

Ireland, United Kingdom – Premier Sports

Premier Sports will stream in Ireland and the UK two Division 1 matches per round and 6 matches from the Playoff Tournament at the end of the season.

FloSports – USA

JRLO will be streamed on the FloSports network in the United States and its territories, it was confirmed on the eve of the season.

Lemino – Urayasu D-Rocks

Lemino, a video streaming service operated by NTT Docomo, Inc., will be streaming all NTT Japan Rugby League One 2025-26 Urayasu D-Rocks matches for free, both live and on-demand.

Japan Rugby News

• Rugby World Cup 2027 Pools – Japan In Pool E and Hong Kong China in Pool A.
• Japan Brave Blossoms Confirmed to Play the Wallabies Twice in 2026.
• Japan Will Join the Expanded World Rugby U20 Championship in 2026.
• Understanding The Nations Championship 2026.

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