You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
Last 5 Games
Last 3 Meetings
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
You can now check the official International World Rankings in the RugbyPass App!
Japan face off against Samoa in Rugby World Cup Round 1 on Sat 2nd October 2027 at McDonald Jones Stadium. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 02:15. In South Africa it’s at 03:15 SAST, 14:15 NZST in New Zealand, 12:15 AEST in Australia and 18:15 EST in the US.
Japan won the last encounter but Japan are in the best form of their last 5 games.
Heading into the fixture, Japan sits at 9 in the World Rugby Rankings, while Samoa holds 20.
The two sides are separated by 11 places in the rankings with Japan in position 9 and Samoa in position 20 as such Japan are favourites on paper.
The official squads for Japan vs Samoa will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.
Join free and tell us what you really think!
Sign up for freeAustralian men’s sevens captain Henry Hutchison is approaching his next two years in gold with an increased hunger.
Baxter, 24, hasn’t played since scoring in the Champions Cup win over Bayonne on 14 December, 2025.
Samoan international hooker Richie Asiata has signed for Leicester Tigers with immediate effect, to help fill the gap left by Finn…
Former Exeter skills coach Ricky Pellow has been appointed as backs and attack coach of Rugby World Cup outsiders Zimbabwe.
Clear 
