Japan Opt Out Of Eight Nations Competition

The Japan Rugby Football Union has decided not to take part in an eight-team international tournament involving the European Six Nations and Fiji later this year, according to a report by Kyodo News on Thursday.

The Eight Nations competition was supposed to fill the void left by the Autumn Internationals and was set to take place after the remainder of the Six Nations was played out in October this year.

However, according to the report by Kyodo News complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic prompted the JRFU to opt out of the European competition.

Currently, Japan has heavy restrictions on the entry of foreign passport holders amid the pandemic which has kept members of the Japan national coaching team out of the country, making it difficult to hold a domestic camp in preparation for the tournament.

According to multiple reports the format of the Eight Nations would see the teams divided into two pools, with Japan rumoured to be grouped with Scotland, France and Italy.

At the moment it is clear whether another team will be brought into replace Japan in the eight team competition and with the latest developments many would be suggesting Georgia would get  a look in.

Source at JRFU says #BraveBlossoms will NOT travel to Europe in autumn to play in proposed 8-Nations tournament, citing concerns of #COVIDー19 infection, and problems with coaching staff returning to Japan to arrange camps.#rugbyjp https://t.co/oGCZw5unMs

— Rich Freeman (@FreemanrugbyJPN) August 27, 2020

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