The season of Japan Rugby Top League started in January. As expected, many people who became to be interested in rugby visit the stadiums to see the matches. Especially the teams that have some internationals such as Toshiba Brave Lupus, Kobe Cobelco Steelers, Suntory Sungoliath, Toyota Verblitz and Panasonic Wild Knights attract many fans including so-called "niwaka", bandwagon fans. Not only such powerful teams, some teams as Hino Red Dolphins, Munakata Sanix Blues and Honda Heat play well this season.
The plan of the new league that is scheduled to start in 2021 was announced. The details are as below.
Framework of Entry Conditions to New League Launching in autumn 2021
(The official website of the JRFU)
Though the plan of fully professional league didn't realise, the new league seems to aim to improve profitability.
Keisuke Moriya scored a try for the Sun Wolves in Fukuoka
(From the official website of the Sun Wolves)
The season of Super Rugby also started. This is the last season for the Sun Wolves in the SR but many internationals preferred playing in the Top League rather than the SR. However some players from the Top League teams and some young players join the team and luckily they beat the Rebels in Fukuoka on the 1st of February. They will meet the Chiefs at Prince Chichibu Stadium next Saturday.