Japan

27 - 10

Full Time

Italy

Italy vs Japan

Events

Commentary

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Live Updates

It's all over! The referee Nic Berry has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Itsuki Kamimura getting some game time.

74'

Japan decide to make a substitution, with Naoto Saito being replaced.

74'

The drop goal is on its way from Naoto Saito but it runs out gas over the last few metres, falling short.

71'

Italy make a substitution with Riccardo Favretto coming on.

67'

Italy make a substitution with Niccolo Cannone coming off.

67'

Penalty Goal

The Japan supporters go wild as Takuro Matsunaga successfully kicks the penalty goal.

66'

Japan sub Tiennan Costley comes onto the field.

64'

Ben Gunter departs for Japan.

64'

Italy sub Leonardo Marin comes onto the field.

60'

Juan Ignacio Brex departs for Italy.

60'

Italy sub Alessandro Fusco comes onto the field.

60'

Stephen Varney departs for Italy.

60'

Italy sub Muhamed Hasa comes onto the field.

60'

Marco Riccioni departs for Italy.

60'

Italy sub Mirco Spagnolo comes onto the field.

60'

Danilo Fischetti departs for Italy.

60'

Michael Stolberg comes on for Japan.

59'

Harry Hockings leaves the field.

59'

Sojiro Otsuka comes on for Japan.

59'

Takato Okabe leaves the field.

59'

Keijiro Tamefusa comes on for Japan.

56'

Shuhei Takeuchi leaves the field.

56'

Hayate Era comes on for Japan.

56'

Mamoru Harada leaves the field.

56'

Michael Leitch comes on.

51'

Kanji Shimokawa comes off.

51'

Italy decide to make a substitution, with Gianmarco Lucchesi getting some game time.

47'

Italy decide to make a substitution, with Tommaso Di Bartolomeo being replaced.

47'

Italy decide to make a substitution, with Ross Vintcent getting some game time.

47'

Italy decide to make a substitution, with Alessandro Ortombina being replaced.

47'

Conversion

Takuro Matsunaga adds the two points for Japan.

47'

Try

The defence are desperately trying to hold out here but it was to no avail as Ben Gunter dots the ball down from close range.

46'

Spellbinding play by Naoto Saito is finished off with a try.

46'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

43'

Penalty Goal

Paolo Garbisi kicks the penalty.

43'

Fabulous play by Italy has led to Malik Faissal being able to wriggle through a gap.

34'

Penalty Goal

Takuro Matsunaga adds the points for Japan.

24'

This is dangerous for the defence as Takato Okabe bursts through to advance the Japan attack.

23'

Conversion

Takuro Matsunaga converts the try.

17'

Try

A series of passes by Japan results in a try for Takuro Matsunaga

16'

Spellbinding play by Yuya Hirose is finished off with a try.

15'

A gap opened in the defence and Yuya Hirose took full advantage.

15'

Italy sub Tommaso Allan comes onto the field.

12'

Lorenzo Pani departs for Italy.

12'

Conversion

Takuro Matsunaga converts the try.

11'

Try

Warner Dearns scores the try from close range.

10'

Naoto Saito played a key part in that try.

10'

Conversion

Paolo Garbisi has kicked a conversion.

Try

Great hands by Italy leads to a try for Juan Ignacio Brex

The defensive line has been broken as Juan Ignacio Brex goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Paolo Garbisi.

The defensive line has been broken as Tommaso Menoncello goes through the gap.

The defensive line has been broken as Kazuma Ueda goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee Nic Berry blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Japan v Italy 
  
 Round 1 
  
 Sat 4th July 2026, 01:40am PDT 
  
 Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium 
  
 RugbyPass TV 
  
 Nic Berry

Points Flow Chart

Japan win +17

Time in lead

Mins in lead

82%

% Of Game In Lead

63%

Possession Last 10 min

37%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Matsunaga

27 - 10

66'

Matsunaga

24 - 10

47'

Gunter

22 - 10

46'

Half Time

Garbisi

43'

17 - 10

Matsunaga

17 - 7

24'

Matsunaga

14 - 7

17'

Matsunaga

12 - 7

16'

Matsunaga

7 - 7

11'

Dearns

5 - 7

10'

Garbisi

0 - 7

Brex

0 - 5

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.6

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

Entries

Attack Profile

Japan

Italy

More Less

Defence Profile

Japan

Italy

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

48%

49%

3-6 secs

35%

34%

6+ secs

17%

108

Rucks Won

Last 5 Penalties

56'

58'

65'

67'

77'

Japan

Italy

Japan vs Italy Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Japan face off against Italy in Nations Championship Round 1 on Sat 4th July 2026 at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 09:40 and is broadcast on ITV. In South Africa it’s at 10:40 SAST on SuperSport, 20:40 NZST on Sky Sport, Sky Sport Now, Sky Go in New Zealand, 18:40 AEST on Stan Sport in Australia and 01:40 EST on RugbyPass TV in the US.

Japan won the last encounter but Japan are in the best form of their last 5 games.

World Rankings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 places in the rankings with Italy in position 11 and Japan in position 12, underlining just how tight this match could be.

Japan vs Italy Squads

The official squads for Japan vs Italy will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.