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The 5th edition of the Japan Rugby League One 2025-2026 kicks off on 13 December for Japan’s premier rugby union league, and teams in Divisions 2 have signed top domestic Japanese and international talent. We take a look at some of the biggest player and coach signings and transfers before the new season gets underway.
The 5th edition of the Japan Rugby League One 2025-2026 kicks off on 13 December for Japan’s premier rugby union league, and teams in Divisions 2 have signed top domestic Japanese and international talent. We take a look at some of the biggest player and coach signings and transfers before the new season gets underway.
The eight-team Division Two ormat remains unchanged this season as last season, none of the teams earned promotion or were relegated. Regular season play will be followed by a two-legged promotion/relegation Replacement Battle.
The teams are listed in the order they finished the 2024/2025 season in D2.
The side was last season's D2 champions but failed to reach Division 1. They have made several signings ahead of the new season, as 16 players left after last season. Notably, Freddie Burns who was hugely important for them.
Some of the main signings are Wallabies and Super Rugby players Noah Lolesio, the re-signing of Christian Lealiifano (who was with them in 2019), and Thomas Umaga Jensen.
Lolesio said, “I am very excited to join Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi. I moved from Australia and have been looking forward to being part of a new rugby community in Japan. I have heard great things about the team culture and team spirit. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, training hard, and contributing on and off the field. I am also looking forward to learning about Japanese rugby and the unique style of play here.”
Another new international signing is Jack Dunne, who went to school at Trinity College Dublin and has been with the Prem side Exeter Chiefs since 2022, saying, “I am excited to be joining the Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles Aichi. It is a great opportunity for me to join an exciting team looking to build on a strong season last year. League One has fantastic, fast-paced rugby that I look forward to being involved in. I am excited to represent Toyota Industries Corporation Shuttles and hopefully make the Shuttles fans proud.
The club’s slogan for the new season is Grizzly+, and they will be captained again by James Gaskell, with Go Nakano and Zheng Zhaoyi as co-captains.
New Signings: Ajay Faleafaga (Highlanders), Jack Dunne (Exeter Chiefs), Sora Roland Alaiasa, Lachlan Osborne (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Viliami Lutua Ahofono (Green Rockets Tokatsu), Leslie Faiva (Blues U17, North Harbour U18), Tulimafua Mahola Tupou, Yuta Tokunaga (Nihon University), Noah Lolesio (Brumbies & Wallabies), Christian Lealiifano (Moana Pasifika & Wallabies), Thomas Umaga Jensen (Highlanders)
The nearly men, after losing out on D1 promotion again last season, have made some major signings for their coaching staff in the 2025-2026 season, but also backed up the star power on the field. Nine staff left after last season, including the head coach, forwards, backs and defensive coaches.
Both Will Genia (Skills Coach) and Quade Cooper (Attack Coach) rejoin Hanazono Kintetsu Liners in Division Two as coaches under ex-captain Haruki Ota as the new club Head Coach. Both former Wallabies had left the club last season as players.
Ota said, “I am honoured to be appointed Head Coach of the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, a proud club based in Hanazono, the spiritual home of Japanese rugby. Over the years, the club has been supported by many passionate fans, partner companies, and the local community. As I take on the responsibility of leading this historic club, I feel a great sense of duty and face this challenge with strong determination.”
At the end of last season, 17 players left or retired!
Tai Lavea (Former Super rugby player and dual All Black / Samoan international) has joined as Defensive Coach from Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo after winning the championship in D1, and Ross Filipo joins as Forward Coach after being involved in the Maori All Blacks setup on tour in Japan, and Tsuyoshi Murata as a former club player also joins as a Forwards coach.
On the player front, Springbok Manie Libbok and Hurricanes Peter Umaga-Jensen are some of the major signings and are joined by new recruits, Scottish lock Kiran McDonald, Japanese prop Shohei Hirano (Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights), Burger Odendaal, as well as Japanese scrum-half Keita Fujiwara and lock Shoma Makinouchi (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi).
Libbok said, “I'm really excited to be joining the Hanazono Kintetsu Liners. It's a great opportunity for me to contribute to the team's success and do everything I can to help the club get back into the top division of Japanese rugby.
I'm also looking forward to working with the younger players and sharing my experience to help them grow and develop. Most importantly, I can't wait to connect with the fans and become part of the Kintetsu community — both on and off the field.”
This season’s co-captains are Reiya Ueyama and newly signed Peter Umaga-Jensen, with three vice-captains appointed.
Their slogan for the season is - “TNT (Takes No Talent)” - We don't need talent. What's important is attitude and effort. The secondary meaning is "Team No Tameni”, which means ‘For the Team’.
New Signings: Manie Libbok (Springboks and Stormers, Peter Umaga-Jensen (All Blacks and Hurricanes, Kiran McDonald (Newcastle Falcons), Shohei Hirano (Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights), Burger Odendaal (Northampton Saints), Keita Fujiwara (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi), Shoma Makinouchi (Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi), Ryno Pieterse (FC Grenoble)
The club surprisingly announced its intent to leave the JRLO at the end of last season and was approved to start the process of transferring its Japan Rugby League One status to a third party. An update in November 2025 said that “the deadline for applying to withdraw from the league was extended until the end of February 2026.”
It is also the 40th anniversary of the club, and despite the intention to transfer ownership, they announced their season slogan as "COMPETE TO WIN - Putting everything on the line. "
As many as 16 players left after last season, and Wayne Pivac also left his role as Head Coach.
NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu announced Greg Cooper as their new head coach for next season, with former Wallaby Rory Arnold joining from Hino Red Dolphins among nearly a dozen new signings.
Arnold has been appointed the club captain with Nick Phipps and Ryoi Kamei as vice-captains.
Arnold said, “To all our supporters, As we head into a brand-new season, I just want to say — thank you. We've been working hard in the off-season, pushing each other every day to get stronger, sharper, and more connected as a team. The goal is simple: to represent this club, this city, and all of you with pride every time we step onto the field.”
Ryan Piper has joined as an Assistant Coach from the Wellington Lions. Cooper was head coach of the club for two seasons from 2012, and has, over the past decade, been with Stade Français Paris, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars and the Utah Warriors.
Cooper said, “I am delighted to be returning to the NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu as head coach for the 2025/2026 season. I have many wonderful memories of my time living in Abiko.
NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu has a very proud tradition of rugby, and as head coach, l am determined to give my best to take the team back to the top division of Japanese rugby.
There are many months of hard work ahead of us to be prepared for the start of the competition in December. In everything we do, we must “Compete to Win”. Challenge ourselves as individuals every day to be better, so that collectively we grow in strength.”
New Signings: Taiga Yamaguchi (Hino Red Dolphins), Dylan Nel (Utah Warriors), Reece Macdonald (Rugby FC Los Angeles), Keita Kimura (LeRIRO Fukuoka), Shunya Hamano (Urayasu D-Rocks), Kosuke Shimoe (Tokai University), Rory Arnold (Hino Red Dolphins), Timote Tavalea (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars), Ryuto Fukuyama (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars), Amanaki Taiyo Lotoahea (Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo), Fetuani Lautaimi (Toyota Verblitz), Riley Hohepa (Counties Manukau / Hurricanes), Frank Lochore (Hawkes Bay / Utah Warriors), Nathan Dagoury (University of Tokyo)
A handful of international signings have been confirmed by the club, which finished 4th in D2 last season, some from within Japan and others from abroad.
South African JP Du Preez has signed on from Glasgow Warriors, and he said, “I am very excited to start this new chapter and truly appreciate the opportunity to play for the Red Hurricanes Osaka and express myself this season.
While everything is still unknown, I know that the Red Hurricanes Osaka is a family-like team with a winning culture. I look forward to being a part of it and contributing to all aspects of the game. My family is also excited to join the Red Hurricanes Osaka, experience all that Osaka has to offer, and build new friendships and relationships”
The club saw 8 players and several staff leave at the end of the previous campaign.
Captain for the season is Hisami Shimada and the vice captain is Yamaguchi Yasuteru. Shimada said, “Our goal this season is to win the D2 championship and be promoted to D1. The entire team will continue to work hard, never forgetting the disappointment of last year. Last year, we were able to attract the largest number of spectators in D2, 12,452, and your support really gave us strength.”
Current player Red Hurricanes Osaka player Lotu Inisi was selected for the Tongan national team.
New Signings: JP Du Preez (Glasgow Warriors), Viliami Sapoi (Setsunan University), Lotu Inisi (Moana Pasifika), Nick Jooste (Tokyo Gas Blue Flames), Ryusei Kaneko (Saga Technical High School - Meiji University)
After last season, 7 players left, including Rory Arnold and Augustine Pulu.
Among the several new signings, Joichiro Iwashita said, “I am very happy to be taking on a new challenge in a new environment. I look forward to meeting all the fans and will play with all my might to live up to their support.”
New signings: Timma Fainga'anuku (Brumbies), Wynand Grassmann (Tokyo Gas Blue Flames), Tony Alofipo (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Aso Norihiro (Black Rams Tokyo), Iwashita Joichiro (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Sagamihara DynaBoars)
Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Vortex have signed Pepesana Patafilo from Moana Pasifika, and Jude Gibbs from the Reds in Australia, among others.
28-cap Wallaby Greg Holmes has joined the club as an Assistant Coach and specialising in the scrum & breakdown. He has worked with the University of Western Australia, the Western Force Academy, and the Australia U18s as a coach.
Rob Taylor has joined as the Attack Assistant Coach - he spent the previous seasons at Leicester Tigers, NEC Green Rockets (as head Coach) and the Melbourne Rebels. Yusuke Takeda joins as Defensive Assistant Coach.
Pepesana Patafilo said, “It has always been my dream to play in Japan, and I am looking forward to meeting my new teammates and the coaching staff. I will work hard to help the club achieve success and make the fans proud.”
The club's slogan is "Dynamic Gold Efforts", with Head Coach Tomoki Imamura saying, “This theme embodies the desire to express the essence of Kyuden Vortex, brimming with energy and dynamic movement across the field. However, at its core is the "GOLD EFFORTS" we strive for as a team, a continuous stream of uncompromising effort and challenges.”
New signings: Shinichi Tanaka (Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo), Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco (CA Brive), Pepesana Patafilo (Moana Pasifika), Jude Gibbs (Reds)
In addition to signing a partnership with French club USAP, the club has signed on Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs), Sione Havili Talitui (Tonga & Moana Pasifika), Billy Burns (Ireland and Munster), Harrison Goddard (formerly at the Brumbies, Waratahs and LA Giltinis) from overseas, as well as a few players already competing in the JRLO.
Half a dozen players left the club, so new signings were needed.
Harrison Goddard said, “I've heard great things about the club, its culture, and the family environment. I’m looking forward to meeting the team and connecting with our fans"
Sione Havili Talitui, who has 17 caps with Tonga, said, “I am thrilled to sign with the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks. Having enjoyed a fulfilling club career with Tasman Mako, Crusaders, and Moana, I look forward to contributing both on and off the pitch as a member of the Blue Sharks. I have heard many positive things about the Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks, including their ambitious, family-oriented environment, excellent coaching staff, and excellent players.”
The club’s slogan is "SP", as the team said it has been focusing on Set Piece since last year. The letters also stand for Sharks Priority, Self Preparation and Sharks Pride.
Koyo Adachi is the captain, with vice-captains Sanshiro Nomura and Maritino Nemani
New signings: Mahe Vailanu (Waratahs), Sione Havili Talitui (Tonga & Moana Pasifika), Billy Burns (Ireland and Munster), Ika Motulalo Takau (NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu), Maritino Nemani (NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu), Cameron Bailey (Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves), Harrison Goddard (Australia 7s & ACT Brumbies)
Former Wallabies star and ex-Tonga head coach Toutai Kefu is head coach at JRLO Division Two side Kamaishi Seawaves, joining from Kintetsu Liners, where he was the Forward Coach. He replaced Yasuo Suda.
Kefu said, “I am very honoured and privileged to be joining the Kamaishi Seawaves this upcoming season. They have one of the most loyal supporters in Japan. I look forward to the challenge, and I can’t wait to start my time there.”
They have also confirmed at least four players who will be joining the Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves from the 2025-26 season. In total, 9 players left at the end of last season. The Nippon Steel Kamaishi Seawaves announced their new slogan: “A NEW WAVE ~ Seawaves, A Rising Tide.”
Kefu said of the slogan, “It represents a team on the rise, and it's a fitting slogan for Kamaishi SW. I've noticed a new trend in the team's connections, as well as in the players' skills and attitude toward the game.”
New signings: Lulu Paea (Ricoh Black Rams Tokyo), Connor Seve (Moana Pacifika), Oka Shinnosuke Tafokitau (Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath), Paula Mahe (Dinamo Bucharest), Troy Hallett (Akita Northern Bullets), Liekina Kaufusi (Hanazono Kintetsu Liners)
