Japan results at Rugby World Cup 2023: Scores, matches, schedule for Brave Blossoms in France

By | September 10, 2023

The love for rugby in Japan has enjoyed a massive rise across the past decade and, as such, the national team have improved drastically.

Even though they remain one of the nations to have played in every single World Cup since the inaugural edition in 1987, the previous two tournaments in particular have really showcased Japan as an up-and-coming heavyweight in the sport.

From their shock win versus South Africa back in 2015 to their hosting of the tournament in 2019, the Brave Blossoms seem primed to cause more upsets this time around.

They face a difficult challenge to emerge from a tough pool, but there is real hope that 2023 could be the year they make a concerted run through the knockout stages. Can they mix it with the very best in France?

The Sporting News is on hand to bring you the latest results from Japan’s 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.

MORE: Japan squad for Rugby World Cup 2023: Full list of players

Japan Rugby World Cup fixtures, results

DATE/TIME (BST/ET) GAME SCORE
Sun, Sept 10 (12 p.m. / 7 a.m.) Japan vs Chile 42-12
Sun, Sept 17 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) Japan vs England  
Thur, Sept 28 (8 p.m. / 3 p.m.) Japan vs Samoa  
Sun, Oct 8 (12 p.m. / 7 a.m.) Japan vs Argentina  

Pool D Rugby World Cup 2023 standings

Team PTS GP W L D PF PA PD T BP
Japan 5 1 1 0 0 42 12 +30 6 1
England 4 1 1 0 0 27 10 +17 0 0
Samoa 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Argentina 0 1 0 1 0 10 27 -17 1 0
Chile 0 1 0 1 0 12 42 -30 2 0

MORE: Who will win the Rugby World Cup? Predictions, best bets

Who could Japan play in Rugby World Cup quarterfinals?

To qualify from their Pool at this year’s tournament, Japan either have to finish first or second in Pool D.

If they win their pool, they would then face the runners-up of Pool C in Marseille on Sunday, October 15.

If they finish as runners-up in Pool D, they would instead face the winner of Pool C in Marseille a day earlier on Saturday, October 14.

Rugby World Cup 2023 Quarterfinals

Date Match City
Sat, Oct 14 QF1: Pool C winner vs Pool D runner-up Marseille
Sat, Oct 14 QF2: Pool B winner vs Pool A runner-up Saint-Denis
Sun, Oct 15 QF3: Pool D winner vs Pool C runner-up Marseille
Sun, Oct 15 QF4: Pool A winner vs Pool B runner-up Saint-Denis

Complete Rugby World Cup 2023 schedule, fixtures

  • Group stage: September 8 — October 8
  • Quarterfinals: October 14-15
  • Semifinals: October 20-21
  • Bronze final: October 27
  • Final: October 28

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