/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fatllog.png "Atlanta United"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fauslog.png "Austin FC"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fmonlog.png "Montreal Impact"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F10%2Fchalog.png "Charlotte FC"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Ffirlog.png "Chicago Fire"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fcollog.png "Colorado Rapids"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fcrelog.png "Columbus Crew"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fdculog.png "DC United"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fdallog.png "FC Dallas"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fcinlog.png "FC Cincinnati"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fhoulog.png "Houston Dynamo"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fmialog.png "Inter Miami"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Flaflog.png "Los Angeles FC"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fgallog.png "LA Galaxy"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fminlog.png "Minnesota United"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fnaslog.png "Nashville"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fnerlog.png "New England Revolution"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fnyclog.png "New York City"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fredlog.png "New York Red Bulls"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Forllog.png "Orlando City"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fphilog.png "Philadelphia Union"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fporlog.png "Portland Timbers"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Frsllog.png "Real Salt Lake"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fearlog.png "San Jose Earthquakes"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fsealog.png "Seattle Sounders"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fkanlog.png "Sporting Kansas"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F10%2Floulog.png "St Louis City"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Ftorlog.png "Toronto FC"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F01%2Fvanlog.png "Vancouver Whitecaps"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F12%2F51%2Fcrowd_2.jpg "Crowd generic")
Japan
Coverage of the International Rugby Union Friendlies clash between England and Japan.
Follow @sportsmole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F07%2Feddie-jones-pictured-in-april-2026-aap-6a581d6304525115122533.jpg "Eddie Jones pictured in April 2026")
Preview:Japan vs. France - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Nations Championship clash between Japan and France, including team news and lineups.23:19
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fandy-farrell-7-november-2025-pa-images-6916035a50468813569962.jpg "Andy Farrell Irish coach pictured on 7 November 2025")
Preview:Japan vs. Ireland - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Nations Championship clash between Japan and Ireland, including team news and lineups.Jul 10, 15:30
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F11%2Fsteve-tandy-wales-head-coach-691ef3c1cd2c2683776527.jpg "Steve Tandy Wales Head Coach pictured on 15 November 2025")
Preview:Wales vs. New Zealand - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's Quilter Nations Series clash between Wales and New Zealand, including predicitons, team news, and lineups.Nov 20, 10:56
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F10%2Fricharlison-68ec15acae8b8242508436.jpg "Brazil striker Richarlison during his side's match against Chile, on September 4, 2025")
Brazil lineup vs. Japan: Predicted XI for international friendly as Carlo Ancelotti considers Richarlison selection
Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Brazil could line up for Tuesday's international friendly against Japan.Oct 12, 21:46
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2Fuploads%2F2025%2F06%2Fvinicius-junior-in-action-for-brazil-on-march-25-2025-6846b166aa520638355478.jpg "Vinicius Junior in action for Brazil on March 25, 2025")
Preview:Japan vs Brazil - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Tuesday's International Friendlies clash between Japan and Brazil, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Oct 12, 19:00
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F10%2Fakaki-tabutsadze.jpg "Georgia rugby player Akaki Tabutsadze in February 2025.")
Can you name the players with the most tries in international rugby history?
With the 2025 Six Nations in full swing, Sports Mole challenges you to name the top 16 try scorers in international fixtures.Mar 5, 16:26
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F47%2Fengland.jpg "Steve Borthwick England on November 20, 2024")
Preview:England vs. Japan - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Sunday's friendly clash between England and Japan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Nov 22, 21:04
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F30%2Fantoine-dupont.jpg "France's Antoine Dupont pictured on June 2, 2024")
Preview:France vs. Japan - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's friendly clash between France and Japan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Nov 7, 21:42
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F43%2Fjapan.jpg "World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup final match between Fiji and Japan on October 18, 2024")
Preview:Japan vs. New Zealand - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's friendly clash between Japan and New Zealand, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Oct 24, 20:27
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F39%2Fjapan.jpg "Japan players celebrate after the match on September 28, 2023")
Preview:Japan vs. England - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Saturday's friendly clash between Japan and England, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Jun 20, 23:00
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F28%2Feddie-jones.jpg "Australia head coach Eddie Jones on the pitch before the match on July 8, 2023")
Eddie Jones appointed Japan head coach for second time
Japan confirm the appointment of Eddie Jones as their head coach for the second time following the 63-year-old's departure from Australia.Dec 13, 13:30
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F43%2Fbill-beaumont.jpg "Chairperson of World Rugby, Bill Beaumont poses with the Webb Ellis Cup after the press conference on October 21, 2023")
World Rugby announces new tournament, expanded World Cup
World Rugby announce a major overhaul of the international calendar which will include a new 24-team bi-annual tournament, as well as the Rugby World Cup expanding.Oct 24, 19:11
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F42%2Feddie-jones.jpg "Australia head coach Eddie Jones looks on during the warm up before the match on October 1, 2023")
Eddie Jones commits future to Australia despite Rugby World Cup exit
Australia head coach Eddie Jones insists that he is staying on despite overseeing the Wallabies' first-ever group-stage exit from a Rugby World Cup.Oct 17, 17:16
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F40%2Fargentina.jpg "Argentina's Emiliano Boffelli scores their fourth try on October 8, 2023")
Argentina see off Japan in winner-takes-all thriller
Argentina qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a thrilling back-and-forth 39-27 victory over Japan, sealing second place in Pool D.Oct 8, 12:49
Preview:Japan vs. Argentina - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Rugby World Cup clash between Japan and Argentina, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Oct 6, 23:25
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F36%2Fireland.jpg "Ireland's Johnny Sexton and James Lowe celebrate after the match on September 9, 2023")
Rugby World Cup permutations: Who needs what to qualify for the quarter-finals?
Ahead of the final round of Rugby World Cup pool stage fixtures, Sports Mole looks at all of the permutations and who needs what to reach the quarter-finals.Oct 5, 06:00
England qualify for Rugby World Cup quarter-finals as Japan beat Samoa
Japan beat Samoa 28-22 to secure England's place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals and Pool D winners.Sep 28, 21:08
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F25%2Fliojap.jpg "British and Irish Lions celebrate a try against Japan on June 26, 2021")
Preview:Japan vs. Samoa - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Thursday's Rugby World Cup clash between Japan and Samoa, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Sep 26, 17:55
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F37%2Fenglud.JPG "England's Lewis Ludlam celebrates scoring their first try on September 17, 2023")
England end World Cup try drought to sink Japan
England make it two wins from two in Pool D of the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a 34-12 triumph over Japan.Sep 17, 20:56
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F23%2F37%2Flewis-ludlam.jpg "England's Lewis Ludlam during training on September 13, 2023")
Preview:England vs. Japan - prediction, team news, lineups
Sports Mole previews Sunday's Rugby World Cup clash between England and Japan, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.Sep 15, 21:27
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F23%2Fgambling-online.png "Footer logo for GAMSTOP"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F06%2FGambleAware%20Secondary%20Main%20Grey.png "on February 3, 2024"){kind=small}