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Japan Stifles Italy for the First Time Since 2018 in Nations Championship Rugby
Ryunosuke Ito impressed on debut as Japan scored three tries and limited Italy to one in a dominant opening Nations Championship win.
- On Saturday, July 4, 2026, Japan secured a 27-10 victory over Italy in Tokyo before a sold-out crowd of more than 20,000 fans to open their Nations Championship campaign.
- Outside centre Juan Ignacio Brex gave Italy an early lead in the fifth minute, but Japan regained control through tries from captain Warner Dearns, Takuro Matsunaga, and Ben Gunter.
- Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada praised debutant fly-half Ryunosuke Ito, stating, "9 and 10 were really key players for them" despite the university student's lack of experience.
- Head coach Eddie Jones missed the fixture while serving the final game of a suspension from the Japan Rugby Football Union for abusing match officials in Australia earlier this year.
- The Nations Championship features 12 sides from both hemispheres, and Japan will next travel to Newcastle, Australia, to face Ireland in their second match of the tournament.
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Brave Blossoms Bloom: Japan Triumphs Over Italy in Rugby Showdown | Sports-Games
Japan defeated Italy 27-10 in a decisive rugby match at the Nations Championship in Tokyo. Japan's strategy centered on strong territorial play and effective kicking, leading to three tries against Italy's one. Despite their physical play, Italy struggled with unforced errors, aiding Japan's victory.
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Total News Sources37
Leaning Left8Leaning Right3Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution59% Center
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
59% Center
L 30%
C 59%
11%
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