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# brave blossoms

This year
2023
England through to quarters as Japan fend off ferocious fightback from 14-man Samoa
Japan are five points clear of Argentina, who will play their game in hand against Chile on Saturday and then meet Japan on Sunday week.
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Sep 28th 2023, 10:28 PM
All time
Japan learning to live with great expectations and the pressure of being marked men
The Brave Blossoms take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday.
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Nov 5th 2021, 6:45 AM
Japan recall Kotaro Matsushima for Saturday's Test at the Aviva
Yu Tamura also named in Brave Blossoms side to face Ireland in the first Test of the November series.
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Nov 4th 2021, 3:34 PM
What will Ireland have picked out from Japan's only game since July?
Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown’s side are incisive and intelligent in attack.
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Nov 3rd 2021, 8:30 PM
James Ryan: 'That game in 2019 is probably one of the toughest I've ever played'
James Ryan is warning Ireland fans not to overlook Japan’s threat next weekend.
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Updated
Oct 30th 2021, 3:05 PM
'It's about belief in our game' - Japan are becoming rugby's great entertainers
Jamie Joseph and Tony Brown back their team to take risks and attack with intent.
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Jul 4th 2021, 9:34 PM
Keenan expects Ireland to 'have our hands full' against high-tempo Japan
The Leinster fullback is a keen admirer of the attacking talent in the Brave Blossoms squad.
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Jun 29th 2021, 6:02 PM
After their World Cup heroics, Japan finally make a welcome return to the Test stage
After a difficult year, the Brave Blossoms are looking to make a big impression against the Lions.
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Jun 26th 2021, 8:30 AM
Japan name one debutant among team of World Cup stars to face the Lions
Jamie Joseph’s men haven’t played a Test since 2019.
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Jun 24th 2021, 2:08 PM
'I was more nervous about the haka than the game... It was a huge honour'
Japan star Kazuki Himeno is back on international duty after a season in New Zealand.
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Jun 24th 2021, 6:00 AM
World Cup star Matsushima set for 'once-in-a-lifetime experience' against Lions
The Clermont flyer is hoping Japan can pick up where they left off in 2019.
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Jun 23rd 2021, 7:00 AM
Joseph calls up Japan World Cup heroes for 'huge' Lions and Ireland games
Ex-Munster wing Gerhard van den Heever will be a familiar face.
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May 24th 2021, 8:22 AM
Gatland's Lions to face Japan before departing on South Africa tour
The game is set to be played at Murrayfield in Edinburgh in June 2021.
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Oct 21st 2020, 8:00 AM
Rugby fans mob Japan's Brave Blossoms at victory parade
The hosts reached the quarter finals for the first time at this year’s World Cup.
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Dec 11th 2019, 11:00 PM
Joseph to take Japan to next Rugby World Cup, ruling out All Blacks role
The Kiwi led the Brave Blossoms to their first World Cup quarter-final last month.
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Nov 18th 2019, 8:12 AM
Sayonara, Japan! Curtain comes down on a memorable World Cup
The Brave Blossoms’ stunning exploits were a real highlight over the past seven weeks.
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Nov 4th 2019, 2:00 AM
Farrell's Ireland to host Japan, Springboks and Wallabies in November 2020
The Brave Blossoms shocked Ireland at their home World Cup.
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Nov 3rd 2019, 7:57 AM
'We're a team of guys who aren't superstars' - Japan bow out with pride
Jamie Joseph’s team have won over neutrals from around the rugby world.
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Oct 20th 2019, 3:20 PM
'We're grateful for the opportunity to inspire Japan and we showed that'
Japan aren’t finished in this World Cup yet after setting up a quarter-final with the Springboks.
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Oct 14th 2019, 5:32 AM
Japan v Scotland, Rugby World Cup
This match will determine who Ireland are to face in the quarter-finals, so we’re going minute-by-minute.
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Oct 13th 2019, 10:50 AM
'When I want to go out, I want to have a coffee, but it's impossible'
Michael Leitch can’t leave Japan’s team hotel without being mobbed by autograph-hunting fans.
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Oct 12th 2019, 3:05 PM
Scottish legal talk 'undermines' Japan's World Cup run, fumes Joseph
The fall-out from the cancellation of games at the tournament continues.
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Oct 11th 2019, 10:00 AM
Japan make three changes from Ireland win for showdown with Samoa
Michael Leitch returns for Saturday’s game but the captain’s armband is retained by Pieter Labuschagne.
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Oct 3rd 2019, 11:05 AM
'We had been preparing for this game for a hell of a lot longer than the Irish had'
Japan lit up the World Cup with sensational display in Shizuoka.
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Sep 28th 2019, 8:00 PM
'We got a 12-3 lead and we stopped playing to a degree': Schmidt laments penalty calls after shock in Shizuoka
Ireland conceded nine penalties, and Schmidt complained about four ‘tough’ offside calls.
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Sep 28th 2019, 11:25 AM
Japan need 'best game of their lives' as captain Leitch dropped for Ireland clash
Head coach Jamie Joseph was surprised not to see Johnny Sexton’s name in Ireland’s squad.
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Sep 26th 2019, 9:15 AM
'Key weapon' - Ireland's opponents Japan aim high at Rugby World Cup after naming squad
The hosts face Russia in the tournament’s opener on 20 September.
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Aug 29th 2019, 8:27 AM
Ireland's RWC pool rivals Japan rise to 9th in world rankings after impressive win over USA
Jamie Joseph’s side are in rude health.
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Aug 12th 2019, 4:40 PM
Japan captain Leitch 'quietly confident' as he faces World Cup pool with Ireland
‘Once we get out of (the pool) we’ve either got New Zealand or South Africa, and we’re not going to lay down for them either.’
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Jun 12th 2019, 9:05 AM
'If we are going to take the All Blacks down, then it is going to be tomorrow'
Japan’s New Zealand-born captain senses an opportunity against a weakened All Blacks team.
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Nov 2nd 2018, 10:52 AM
'Both sides went at it furiously': Italy withstand Brave Blossoms fightback to end season with victory
Conor O’Shea’s men dominated the early stages and took a 19-3 lead before Japan were stirred into a reaction.
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Jun 16th 2018, 9:41 AM
Three magic Keith Earls assists and all the highlights from Ireland's summer tour to the US and Japan
Not content with sealing a record for himself, the Limerick man assisted five tries for five different scorers.
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Jun 26th 2017, 11:29 AM
The big winners from Ireland's high-scoring summer tour
Ireland had some freedom to play in the US and Japan, but these men made the most of the chances.
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Jun 24th 2017, 6:30 PM
Overshadowed by Lions, but Ireland a joy to watch at tail end of historic season
The finale of a lengthy international campaign is your early-morning appetiser.
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Jun 23rd 2017, 1:59 PM
All the little affirmations paying off as Andrew Conway revels chance to wear Ireland jersey
The Munster wing says he was not consistent enough to earn international recognition before this year.
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Jun 20th 2017, 6:03 AM
Conan's Barbarian rugby, new kids impress and more talking points from Ireland's big win
Ireland’s Rugby World Cup pool looks even more manageable after this morning’s seven-try rout.
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Jun 17th 2017, 8:47 AM
Keith Earls on fire again as Ireland run 7 past Japan
Joe Schmidt’s side hit the 50-point mark for the second week running thanks to big displays from Earls and Jack Conan.
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Jun 17th 2017, 8:05 AM
Japan v Ireland, summer tour
We’re getting in a pre-breakfast helping of international rugby. There’s plenty for everyone.
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Jun 17th 2017, 5:00 AM
Solidity all important as Ireland tackle Sunwolves-laded Japan after heavy travel week
Experimentation has taken a back seat this week after five new caps were unleashed against the US.
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Jun 15th 2017, 4:19 PM
'Great day for the family,' but whirlwind tour leaves little time for Scannell brothers to celebrate
Staving off jet-lag is the first job for Joe Schmidt’s squad after arriving in Japan yesterday.
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Jun 14th 2017, 7:51 AM
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