Japan's Ryunosuke Ito absent for England due to amateur rules
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Nov 10, 2026, 1:04 PM
Last updated Nov 10, 2026

Japan fly half Ryunosuke Ito, a key player for the national team, is not participating in the Nations Championship against England. Ito is required to fulfill amateur obligations with Meiji University, despite no injury preventing his involvement. Head coach Eddie Jones expressed frustration over this rule, highlighting its impact on player development in Japan. Meanwhile, Riku Kitahara steps in for Ito as Japan seeks to present an unorthodox challenge to England. Japan has shown competitive form recently, suggesting they can push established teams.
- •Ryunosuke Ito is unavailable due to amateur obligations at Meiji University.
- •Riku Kitahara will play fly half against England.
- •Jones criticizes Japan's rugby hierarchy limiting player development.
- •Japan showed strong performances against Italy and Australia this summer.
- 1:04 PMYahoo Sports — The strange reason Japan can’t pick their best fly half against England
"Ryunosuke Ito’s emergence appeared to solve a problem position for Eddie Jones, but he is absent from their Nations Championship campagin
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