Japan Rugby National Team Announces Starting Lineup for November 14 Match Against England

Key points

The Japan rugby national team announced its starting lineup for the November 14, 2026, Nations Championship match against England at Twickenham Stadium (Allianz Stadium) in London. Co-captains Warner Deans and Naoto Saito are included in the starting XV, while wing Riku Tokito, who previously competed in the sevens team at the Nagoya Asian Games, will earn his first cap in the 15-a-side national team. The match kicks off at 16:40 local time. Japan is ranked 12th in the world, England 5th, and Japan has lost all 13 previous encounters between the two sides. [1] [2] [4]

Match Overview: Date, Time, and Venue

On November 14, 2026, the Japan rugby national team will play England at Twickenham Stadium (Allianz Stadium) in London as part of the 2026 Nations Championship. Kickoff is scheduled for 16:40 local time (01:40 on November 15 in Japan). This match is Japan's fifth out of six pool games and is considered an important fixture. The venue is known as the spiritual home of English rugby, promising an intense contest. Japan approaches this match as part of its European tour. [1] [4]

The Nations Championship is an international tournament featuring top teams from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres. Japan belongs to the Southern Hemisphere group, while England is in the Northern Hemisphere group. Historically, Japan has not won any of the 13 matches against England, making this game a significant opportunity for redemption. Head Coach Eddie Jones leads Japan as they challenge the strong English side. Detailed scheduling and venue information have been officially released by the Japan Rugby Football Union. [4]

Japan National Team Starting Lineup and Key Players

The starting lineup for Japan includes co-captains Warner Deans (lock) and Naoto Saito (scrum-half). Compared to the recent 21-28 loss to Wales, only two changes have been made, one of which is wing Riku Tokito. Tokito previously represented Japan in sevens rugby at the Nagoya Asian Games and will earn his first cap in the 15-a-side format in this match. Head Coach Eddie Jones values Tokito's speed and aerial ability, expecting him to be effective against England's high-punt kicking strategy. [1] [2] [3]

Riku Tokito, 23, hails from Kagoshima and began playing rugby in first grade. Primarily a center (CTB) until now, he joined Musashi in April but has yet to debut in League One. His ball-carrying and aerial skills in sevens rugby have been highly regarded, with a recommendation from sevens Head Coach Phil Greening. Teammate Naoto Saito also endorses Tokito's size and aerial strength, fully supporting his starting role. Japan's wing position has not been fixed this year, and Tokito is the eighth different starter in 10 test matches. [3]

Match Background and Past Results

Japan is ranked 12th in the world, England 5th, and the two teams have met 13 times since their first encounter in 1971, with Japan losing all matches. Of these, six were official test matches, all won by England. Past matches have included close contests, such as a 19-21 loss in Osaka in 1979, a halftime lead at Twickenham in 2018, and a one-point deficit until the 14th minute of the second half at the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Nice. Japan has come close to defeating England on several occasions. [1] [4]

Head Coach Eddie Jones has led Japan from 2012 to 2015 and resumed in 2024, notably guiding Japan to victory over South Africa in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He also served as England's head coach from 2015 to 2022, achieving two wins over Japan and two losses to England while coaching Japan. This match is a special encounter featuring Jones coaching Japan against England, with a strategic duel anticipated between him and England Head Coach Steve Borthwick, who has a mentor-mentee relationship with Jones. [4]