By JRLO Media
The fourth edition of Japan Rugby League One kicks off next week, with the tournament opening with the clash between Mie Honda Heat and Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo on December 21. The match is the first of 209 fixtures in Division One’s regular season, with the competition expanded by three additional entries in Division Three: Yakult Levins Toda, LeRIRO Fukuoka and SECOM Sayama Rugguts.
An extra week has been added to the Division One finals series, extending the season to 21 weeks (including division-wide bye rounds). The grand final is set to take place in Tokyo on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Meanwhile, the promotion/relegation ‘Replacement Battle’ between Divisions One and Two has been scaled down to involve four teams, playing a home-and-away format instead of the previous six-team series.
Division One
Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo, the reigning champions, face a monumental challenge in defending their title. Despite maintaining a largely unchanged squad, history suggests retaining the championship can be even harder than claiming it. Brave Lupus secured their maiden title last season in a nail-biting 24-20 victory over inaugural champions Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights in front of 56,486 fans at the National Stadium.
Led by All Black flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and backrower Shannon Frizell, alongside a talented lineup including Brave Blossoms winger Jone Naikabula and veteran Michael Leitch, Brave Lupus remain formidable. However, the Wild Knights, finalists in all three seasons, will look to reclaim glory despite losing key players such as veteran hooker Shota Horie (retirement) and flyhalf Rikiya Matsuda, who has joined Toyota Verblitz.
Toyota Verblitz, under the guidance of Director of Rugby Steve Hansen, have been active in recruitment. Matsuda replaces All Black Beauden Barrett, while former All Blacks coach Ian Foster joins as head coach. Scotland international Richie Gray and veteran Kobe coach Dave Rennie add further depth. Verblitz, however, have yet to break into the playoffs, finishing seventh last season.
Elsewhere, Sungoliath’s Cheslin Kolbe will aim to bring his Twickenham brilliance to Japan after an injury-hit debut season. With Sam Cane and Sean McMahon returning from injuries, Sungoliath have already shown strong pre-season form under new head coach Kosei Ono. Yokohama Canon Eagles will also benefit from the return of Springbok Faf de Klerk and centre Jesse Kriel.
Shizuoka Blue Revs will hope skipper Kwagga Smith and ex-All Black Charles Piutau can turn narrow defeats into victories. Meanwhile, Malcolm Marx’s comeback boosts Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay after the Springbok hooker missed last season due to an ACL injury.
Division Two
The return of Hanazono Liners after their relegation adds drama to Division Two. The Liners have bolstered their squad with All Black Akira Ioane and Exeter’s Tom Hendrickson. Veteran Wallabies Quade Cooper and Will Genia remain key figures, with Cooper aiming to inspire the team back to Division One.
Wallaby Rory Arnold’s Hino Red Dolphins and All Black Lima Sopoaga’s Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks join an expanded eight-team division. Toyota Shuttles Aichi and NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu will seek redemption after disappointing finishes last season. Former Wales coach Wayne Pivac has brought Rhys Patchell to the Green Rockets, reuniting with the Scarlets and test flyhalf.
Division Three
Division Three welcomes newcomers LeRIRO Fukuoka, Yakult Levins Toda, and SECOM Sayama Rugguts, joining Mazda SkyActivs Hiroshima, Chugoku Electric Power Red Regulions, and Kurita Water Gush Akishima. SECOM’s roster features Welsh lock Cory Hill and ex-Maori All Black Whetukamokamo Douglas, making them early favorites to dominate this tier.
As the 2024-25 season begins, fans can look forward to thrilling matches across all divisions, with international stars and rising talents ready to make their mark.
