2026 WXV Global Series preview: Japan

With the appointment of Toshizumi Kitagawa as Japan’s head coach for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029 cycle, the Sakura Fifteen will be looking to impress fans over 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 star for them against the likes of Italy, Ireland and Wales?

We tried to answer a few questions and paint a full picture of a side looking for greatness.

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Japan have already savoured some silverware in 2026, as the Sakura enjoyed another successful run in the Asia Rugby Women’s Championship, overcoming Hong Kong China and Kazakhstan last April to earn an eighth continental title.

With Toshizumi Kitagawa taking the side’s reigns as acting head coach at the time, Japan were simply unstoppable, beating their Asian rivals, scoring 23 tries while only conceding 24 points.

At the Almaty Sports Training Complex, Japan opened their campaign in style with a 64-12 win over the home team, Kazakhstan. Despite the locals’ best efforts, the Sakura were quick to build an insurmountable lead, holding a 30-5 lead at the break. Rinka Matsuda, with a hat-trick, was one of the visitors’ top performers, alongside Sachiko Kato and Mana Furuta.

In the second round, the title holders were far too strong for Hong Kong China, nailing a 71-12 win to celebrate another continental conquest.

With scrum-half Moe Tsukui captaining the side in Iroha Nagata’s absence, Japan’s standout performers in the competition were Sachiko Kato, Mele Havili Kagawa, Rinka Matsuda and Kanako Kobayashi.

As for team positives, the set-piece was a reliable platform to unleash their full power, whilst their work at the breakdown completely dismantled any chances of the opposition taking control of the game’s flow.

Biggest Tests

The main question Japan needs to answer in the WXV Global Series is whether they have the means to compete against the world’s best, especially after making remarkable progress under Lesley McKenzie.

With Italy and Ireland emerging as the first two hurdles, the Sakura will then face Wales in a pivotal two-match series that could reveal exactly where the squad stands three years out from Women’s Rugby World Cup 2029.

It will be a clash of wills, as both Wales and Japan seek a statement result to underline their development. Despite the uncertainty surrounding Italy’s coaching situation, Wales stands as Japan’s top two Tests of the year.

As for their match-up against Ireland, it is hard to see Japan coming out as the winners of the contest, largely because of the significant progress Scott Bemand’s side has made over the past 14 months.

It will be vital to see whether the scrum is up to the challenge and whether they can keep up the pace for the full 80 minutes, two areas that head coach Toshizumi Kitagawa will be concerned about for the next couple of months.

It will be key for the Asian Rugby Women’s Championship holders to come out of the 2026 WXV Global Series with at least a win, providing a much-needed boost for the programme’s future.

Star Players

Amongst the several top-level players that the Sakura have at their disposal, Moe Tsukui is undoubtedly one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle. If the scrum-half performs at her best level, then Japan’s chances of upending the opposition will greatly increase, as she can unravel most defences thanks to her speed off the ball and tactical awareness.

Her influence was evident in Japan’s 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup clash with Spain, changing the course of the game after coming on at half-time. Tsukui raised the tempo and brought greater consistency to Japan’s attack, playing a key role in the Sakura’s eventual victory.

Wako Kitano is the most experienced prop in the Japan squad. A lot of pressure comes with that moniker, but the 27-year-old is ready to continue being a leading performer for the Sakura in Europe and at home. A player that can not only do the business at the set-piece, look out for Kitano in the loose too.

25-year-old No.8 Jennife Nduka has been a top performer for the Sakura since her 2023 debut. She comes from a sporting family – her brothers Boniface and Charles are both professional footballers – the former basketball has won 20 caps for her country and scored a try in her team’s 29-21 win against the Spain at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

Prediction

Can the new staff quickly set up shop and push the team toward a positive, promising campaign, building on their recent Asia Rugby Women’s Championship exploits? Or are Italy, Ireland and Wales currently beyond the Sakura’s reach?

It is not an easy task to predict how the WXV Global Series will go for Japan, mainly because of several question marks around the new staff and the few absences in the roster, which will take its toll in the gritty bits of the campaign.

However, despite those absences – like Iroha Nagata – Japan have enough raw material to push hard against each of their rivals until the last second of each of their four matches. If they combine that mindset with the belief that something special can happen, they may well unlock a new level of performance and development.

That said, Japan fans can expect a tough but enticing September and October, with the Sakura facing the prospect of earning at least one win.