With the appointment of Toshizumi Kitagawa as Japan’s women’s head coach Rugby World Cup In the 2029 cycle, Sakura Fifteen will look to impress fans at the WXV Global Series.
But what can we expect from a team that has managed to narrow the gap to the top in recent years? And who will act for them against the Italians, Ireland and Wales?
We tried to answer a few questions and give a complete picture of the side looking for greatness.
Recent Form
Japan have already enjoyed silverware in 2026 as Sakura enjoyed another successful run at the Asian Women’s Rugby Championship, defeating Hong Kong China and Kazakhstan won the eighth continental title last April.
With Toshizumi Kitagawa acting as head coach at the time, Japan were simply unstoppable, beating their Asian rivals, scoring 23 tries while conceding just 24 points.
At the Almaty Sports Training Complex, Japan opened their campaign in style with a 64-12 win over home team Kazakhstan. Despite the home side’s best efforts, Sakura quickly built an insurmountable lead, holding a 30-5 advantage at the break. Rinka Matsuda, with a hat-trick, was one of the best guests, along with Sachiko Kato and Mana Furuta.
In the second round, the defending champions were too strong for China from Hong Kong, with a 71-12 victory to celebrate another continental conquest.
With scrum-half Moe Tsukui captaining the side in the absence of Iroha Nagata, Japan’s standout performers in the competition were Sachiko Kato, Mele Havili Kagawa, Rinka Matsuda and Kanako Kobayashi.
As for the team’s positives, the set-piece was a reliable platform to unleash their full strength, while their work at the breakdown completely removed any chance of the opposition taking control of the game.
The biggest tests
The main question that Japan needs to answer in WXV Global Series is whether they have the wherewithal to compete against the best in the world, especially after making remarkable progress under Lesley McKenzie.
With Italy and Ireland appearing as the first two obstacles that Sakura will then face Wales in a pivotal two-game series that could reveal exactly what has set the team apart for three years Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029
It will be a clash of wills as both Wales and Japan look to the statement result to underline their development. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the coaching situation in Italy, Wales stand as Japan’s two best Tests of the year.
As for their match against Ireland, it’s hard to see Japan emerging as winners of the competition, largely because of the significant progress Scott Bemand’s side have made over the past 14 months.
It will be vital to see if the scrum is up to the challenge and if they can keep up the pace for the full 80 minutes, two areas that head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa will be concerned about over the next few months.
It will be crucial for the holders of the Asian Women’s Rugby Championship to emerge from the 2026 WXV Global Series with at least a win, providing a much-needed boost to the future of the programme.
Star Players
Among the few top players Sakura has at her disposal, Moe Tsukui is undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of the puzzle. If the scrum-half plays at its best, then Japan’s chances of turning the opposition around will greatly increase, as it can unravel most defenses thanks to its speed off the ball and tactical awareness.
Her impact was evident in Japan’s 2025 Rugby World Cup clash with Spain, changing the course of the game after coming on at half-time. Tsukui picked up the pace and brought more consistency to Japan’s attack, playing a key role in Sakura’s eventual victory.
Wako Kitano is the most experienced prop in the Japanese national team. A lot of pressure comes with that nickname, but the 27-year-old is ready to continue to be a leading player for Sakura in Europe and at home. A player who can’t just get the job done in the set-up, he also looks out for Kitano in the loose.
25-year-old number 8 Jennife Nduka has been the best player for Sakura since her debut in 2023. She comes from a sporting family – her brothers Boniface and Charles are both professional footballers – the former basketball player won 20 caps for her country and scored a try in her team’s 29-21 win against Spain at the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Prediction
Can the new staff quickly set up shop and push the team towards a positive, promising campaign, building on their recent Asian Women’s Rugby Championship exploits? Or are Italy, Ireland and Wales beyond Sakura’s reach at the moment?
It’s not an easy task to predict how the WXV Global Series will fare in Japan, mainly due to several question marks surrounding the new staff and several roster absences, which will take their toll in the rough parts of the campaign.
However, despite those absences – like Iroha Nagata – Japan have enough raw material to fight each of their rivals to the last second in each of their four matches. If they combine that mindset with the belief that something special can happen, they could unlock a new level of performance and development.
However, Japanese fans can expect a tough but enticing September and October, with Sakura facing the prospect of earning at least one win.
