Chiefs duo named in Japanese squad

By Harry Scott-Munro
30/10/21

There will be more Exeter Chiefs representation on the international stage this autumn, after it was confirmed that prop Sachiko Kato and centre Kanako Kobayashi have both been named in the Japanese squad for their upcoming Test series.

Captained by prop Saki Minami, the 34-strong Japanese squad comprises 19 forwards and 15 backs, of which seven players are in line to make their international debuts should they be selected in the match-day party.

The tour will see the Sakura XV take on Wales in Cardiff on November 7, Scotland in Edinburgh on November 14, before they finish against Ireland in Dublin on November 20.

These matches also mark a welcome return to international rugby for the Sakura XV with the match against Wales being their first international test match since 2019, due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Both Kato and Kobayashi have been in superb form for Exeter Chiefs Women this season, with Kato continuing the form that saw her named in the Allianz Premier 15s Team of the Season with a series of superb performances in both the loose and the tight.

Kobayashi, meanwhile, has also taken to Premiership rugby with ease, making the 13 shirt her own, with her strength and passing range becoming a key feature in all of her side’s performances this season.

The match against Wales on November could potentially see Kato and Kobayashi go up against a number of their Exeter team-mates in the shape of Abbie Fleming, Caitlin Lewis and Niamh Terry. All three matches will serve as crucial preparation, ahead of the rearranged Rugby World Cup in New Zealand in the summer.

Japan Squad for Autumn Series:

Megumi ABE, 2

Ria ANOKU, 2

Mikasa ISOGAI, 0

Yuki ITO, 5

Komachi IMAKUGI, 2

Ayasa OTSUKA, 2

Sachiko KATO, 6

Wako KITANO, 2

Ayumu KOKAJI, 3

Kanako KOBAYASHI, 2

Hinata KOMAKI, 0

Seina SAITO, 23

Ayano SAKURAI, 15

Yuka SADAKA, 5

Yuna SATO, 2

Misaki SUZUKI, 23

Noriko TANIGUCHI, 5

Kie TAMAI, 4

Moe TSUKUI, 13

Shione NAKAYAMA, 2

Ayano NAGAI, 2

Iroha NAGATA, 7

Nijiho NAGATA, 0

Hinano NAGURA, 2

Sora NISHIMURA, 0

Sakurako HATADA, 0

Ai HIRAYAMA, 2

Mana FURUTA, 6

Mateitoga BOGIDRAUMAINADAVE, 11

Saki MINAMI, 16

Kotono YASUO, 0

Minori YAMAMOTO, 14

Otoka YOSHIMURA, 0

Makoto LAVEMAI, 9