Japan Rugby League One (), formerly known as the Top League (), is a

rugby union Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport#Terminology, close-contact team sport that orig ...

competition in Japan. It is the highest level of professional rugby competition in the country. The

Japan Rugby Football Union The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU; ) is the governing body for rugby union in Japan. It was formed 30 November 1926, and organises matches for the Japan national rugby union team, Japan national team. The JRFU is currently one of only two fede ...

created the competition in 2003, by absorbing the

Japan Company Rugby Football Championship The Japan Company Rugby Football Championship (全国社会人ラグビーフットボール大会 ''Zenkoku Shakaijin Ragubi- Futtobo-ru Taikai'') is a former Japanese rugby union competition that ran from 1948 to 2003. Teams from companies or the ...

. The chief architect of the league was

Hiroaki Shukuzawa was a Japanese rugby union player and coach, who coached the Japan national rugby union team between 1989 and 1991. As a player, he was capped three times by Japan as a scrum-half, and he also advised the Japan Rugby Football Union. He also h ...

who strongly felt the urgency of improving Japanese domestic company rugby to a professional level which would allow Japan to compete more convincingly at Rugby World Cups. Until 2022, it was an industrial league, where many players were employees of their company and the teams were all owned by major companies. While the competition was known for paying high salaries, only world-class foreign players and a small number of Japanese players played fully professionally, which meant most of the players still played in an amateur capacity. The delayed 2021 season was the final season of the Top League, with the JRFU adopting a new fully-professional three-tier system from 2022. More details about the new structure was announced to the media in January 2021. Featuring 25 teams, the 12 top-tier clubs would be split into two conferences, with seven teams competing in division two and six in division three. The new competition was formally announced as Japan Rugby League One in July 2021. The first season in 2003–04 featured 12 teams. The league was expanded to 14 teams in 2006–07 and 16 teams in 2013–14. While Japan Rugby League One's season overlaps with the start of

Super Rugby Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...

's season, the Top League played during the off-season of the

. Therefore, many full-time foreign professionals from Southern Hemisphere countries played in the Top League, notably Tony Brown,

George Gregan George Musarurwa Gregan AM (born 19 April 1973) is a former rugby union player who played as scrum-half. Born in Lusaka, Zambia, Gregan represented Australia at an international level, and is Australia's second most capped player. He played S ...

and

Dan Carter Daniel William Carter (born 5 March 1982) is a New Zealand retired rugby union player. Carter played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby and for New Zealand's national team, the All Blacks. He is the highest point scorer in test match rugby, a ...

. In the 2010s, salaries in the Top League rose to become some of the highest in the rugby world; in 2012, South Africa's

Jaque Fourie Jaque Fourie (born 4 March 1983) is a South African former professional rugby union player. He was a versatile backline player whose usual position was in the centres. He was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning team, playing at outside ...

, now with

Kobelco Steelers The Kobelco Kobe Steelers are a Japanese rugby union team owned by Kobe Steel, and based in Kobe. They were the first ever Top League champions when the League started in the 2003-2004 season. The team rebranded as Kobelco Kobe Steelers ahead of ...

, was widely reported to be the world's highest-paid player.

Rugby System's Divisions

The 2024-25 format for the Japanese club system is divided into three divisions.

Division 1

The league consists of 12 teams based in various cities in the country. *

Toshiba Brave Lupus Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League One. They are based in Fuchu, Tokyo, as is their local rival Suntory Sungoliath. They won the second ever Top League championship in the 2004-5 season and the Mic ...

Canon Eagles The Yokohama Canon Eagles is a Japanese rugby union team founded in 1981 that competes in the Japan Rugby League One and is owned by Canon. The team was previously based in Machida, Tokyo, Japan. According to the official website, it was founded ...

Shizuoka Blue Revs Shizuoka Blue Revs (formerly the Yamaha Júbilo) are a rugby union team based in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. The team came second behind Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second season of Japanese rugby's Top League (2004–05). They were coached by form ...

Mitsubishi DynaBoars also known as Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Rugby Club, are a Japanese rugby union team based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The owner of this club is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The club was founded in 1981. It ...

Urayasu D-Rocks Urayasu D-Rocks, commonly known as the D-Rocks, or the Shining Arcs, is a rugby union team owned by NTT Communications and is part of Japan's Rugby League One competition, currently in Division 1. Given the name, the team is based in Urayasu Ci ...

Panasonic Wild Knights Saitama Wild Knights (formerly Panasonic Wild Knights) is a Japanese rugby union team formerly based in Ōta, Gunma, Ōta city, Gunma prefecture which played in the Top League. In 2021 it relocated 13 kilometers south to Kumagaya, Saitama, Kumag ...

Suntory Sungoliath Tokyo Sungoliath (formerly known as Suntory Sungoliath) is owned by the Suntory beverage company and is one of the Japanese rugby union teams in the Top League. The team is based in Fuchū, Tokyo, as is their local rival Toshiba Brave Lupus. The t ...

Kubota Spears Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay (commonly known as the Kubota Spears) is a Japanese rugby union team based in Funabashi, Chiba participating in the Japan Rugby League One. The team rebranded as Kubota Spears Funabashi Tokyo Bay ahead of the r ...

Toyota Verblitz Toyota Verblitz is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League One. Verblitz is a portmanteau of ''verde'' (Italian, Spanish and Portuguese for 'green') and ''blitz'' (German for 'lightning'). The team is owned by Toyota Motor Corporat ...

Ricoh Black Rams Black Rams Tokyo (formerly Ricoh Black Rams) is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League One. Being ranked tenth meant that, in order to continue in the league, it had to defeat one of the top regional clubs in a play-off, which it ac ...

Honda Heat Mie Honda Heat is a Japanese rugby union team based in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture, Japan. The owner of the club is Honda Motor. (Suzuka is known for the Suzuka Circuit and the presence of car companies. Conveniently, the team uses Suzuka to jog ...

Division 2

Kintetsu Liners Hanazono Kintetsu Liners are a Japanese rugby union team owned by Kintetsu Corporation which was founded in 1929. They have won the All-Japan Championship three times as an amateur team. Their home is at Hanazono Rugby Stadium, which was also ...

NEC Green Rockets NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu (formerly NEC Green Rockets) is a Japanese rugby union team in the Japan Rugby League One. The team's captain is Ryota Asano. The previous captain was Takuro Miuchi, who was also the captain of the Japan national rugby ...

Toyota Industries Shuttles Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi (also called Toyota Jido Shokki as distinct from Toyota, which was renamed Toyota Verblitz) is a Japanese rugby team owned by Toyota Industries. They were promoted to Japan's top-flight league Top League for the ...

* Red Hurricanes Osaka * Kyūshu Kyuden Voltex *

Kamaishi Seawaves Kamaishi Seawaves is a Rugby union football Rugby union football, commonly known simply as rugby union in English-speaking countries and rugby 15/XV in non-English-speaking world, Anglophone Europe, or often just rugby, is a Contact sport# ...

Hino Red Dolphins Hino Motors Red Dolphins are a Japanese rugby union team, currently playing in the county's top tier Japan Rugby League One competition. The team is the rugby team of commercial vehicle manufacturer Hino Motors, based in Hino in the Tokyo Metropoli ...

* Shimizu Blue Sharks

Division 3

Kurita Water Gush Kurita Water Gush Akishima is a Japanese rugby union team competing in Division Three of Japan Rugby League One. Owned by Kurita Water Industries, a water treatment chemical manufacturer, the team is based in Atsugi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. T ...

* Mazda Skyactivs *

Chugoku Red Regulions Chugoku Electric Power Rugby Football Club – nicknamed the Red Regulions – is a Japanese rugby union team, currently playing in the Japan Rugby League One. The team is the rugby team of electric utilities provider Chugoku Electric Power, based ...

Secom Rugguts Secom Rugguts is a Japanese rugby union team founded in 1985 by SECOM. Its name is a portmanteau of "Rugger" and "Guts". The club was in the Top League for the first season of the league but was demoted at the end of the season. As the top team ...

Yakult Levins Yakult Levins Toda – commonly known as Yakult Levins – is a Japanese rugby union team, currently playing in the Japan Rugby League One. The team is the rugby team of the probiotic milk company Yakult as is based in Toda in the Saitama Prefect ...

* LeRIRO Fukuoka

Developments

*2006–07: The league was expanded from 12 to 14 teams. *2007–08: A timekeeping system independent of the referee was introduced. *2008–09: Video referee (TMO) decisions were introduced for the

Microsoft Cup The Top League Championship is Japan's highest-level knockout tournament for rugby union clubs. Held annually, the leading teams from the Top League regular season qualify for the playoffs to decide the Cup title. From 2018 onward, the All-Japa ...

play-off tournament. *2008–09: Three foreign players per team are allowed on the field at one time, one more than previously. Additionally, one member of an Asian union (such as South Korean Kim Kwang Mo for Sanyo Wild Knights) is permitted to take the field for each team. *2009–10: One of the three foreign players allowed on the field must have played, or be eligible, for Japan.Daily Yomiuri, 28 February 2008
/ref> *2013–14: The league was expanded from 14 to 16 teams. *2014–15: Video referee (TMO) decisions introduced for all league games. *2014–15: Playoff tournament sponsored as the

Lixil Cup The Top League Championship is Japan's highest-level knockout tournament for rugby union clubs. Held annually, the leading teams from the Top League regular season qualify for the playoffs to decide the Cup title. From 2018 onward, the All-Japa ...

. *2021: Japan Rugby League One announced as the new league name, starting from the 2022 season.

Related competitions

A second-tier Top League Challenge Series was also introduced in 2003. Between 2003–04 and 2016–17, teams from three regional leagues would qualify to this post-season competition, in which they could either win promotion to the next season's Top League, or qualify to promotion play-off matches. In 2017, a second-tier

Top Challenge League The Top Challenge League was a professional rugby union competition in Japan. It was the second-highest level of rugby competition in the country and is a companies league; all the teams are owned by major companies and the players are generally ...

was introduced, to operate in a league format above the regional leagues. The regional leagues are: * Top East League, administered by the Japan East Rugby Football Union * Top West League, administered by the Kansai Rugby Football Union * Top Kyūshū League, administered by the Kyūshū Rugby Football Union With the creation of Rugby League One and its three divisions, the ''raison d'etre'' for the Top Challenge League ceased to exist, and it was discontinued. In 2025 it was announced that Japan Rugby League One would receive one berth in the inaugural 2028 Rugby Club World Cup organised by

European Professional Club Rugby European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is the governing body and organiser of the two major club rugby union tournaments: the European Rugby Champions Cup and the EPCR Challenge Cup. A third tournament, the European Rugby Challenge Cup Qualifyin ...

, along with eight sides from EPCR and seven from

Super Rugby Pacific Super Rugby is a men's professional rugby union club competition involving teams from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands. It has previously included teams from Argentina, Japan, and South Africa. Super Rugby started as the S ...

Seasons

Sixteen teams: 2012 onwards

Munakata Sanix Blues , formerly ''Fukuoka Sanix Blues'' and ''Fukuoka Sanix Bombs'', was a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 (Heisei 6), the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top ...

NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes Red Hurricanes Osaka is a Japanese rugby union team owned by NTT Communications. They qualified for the 2011–12 Top League, 2011–12 season and finished 12th place overall. The team rebranded in 2022, ahead of the rebranding of the Top League ...

NTT Communications Shining Arcs Urayasu D-Rocks, commonly known as the D-Rocks, or the Shining Arcs, is a rugby union team owned by NTT Communications and is part of Japan's Japan Rugby League One, Rugby League One competition, currently in Japan Rugby League One#Division 1, Div ...

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Yamaha Jubilo Shizuoka Blue Revs (formerly the Yamaha Júbilo) are a rugby union team based in Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan. The team came second behind Toshiba Brave Lupus in the second season of Japanese rugby's Top League (2004–05). They were coached by former ...

Mitsubishi Dynaboars also known as Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Rugby Club, are a Japanese rugby union team based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The owner of this club is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The club was founded in 1981. It ...

Fourteen teams: 2006 to 2012

Ninth season (2011–12)

NTT Shining Arcs and Yamaha Jubilo which won their 2005 promotion/relegation play-offs (''Irekaesen'') against Canon Eagles and Kyuden Voltex to retain their places for the 2011–12 season. The following teams were in the league: *

Coca-Cola West Red Sparks The Coca-Cola Red Sparks () was a Japanese company-owned rugby team based in Fukuoka city, Kyūshū. The team was initially founded as Kitakyushu Coca-Cola and then changed its name to Coca-Cola West Japan. The team won promotion to the expande ...

Fukuoka Sanix Blues , formerly ''Fukuoka Sanix Blues'' and ''Fukuoka Sanix Bombs'', was a Japanese rugby union team based in Munakata, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Founded in April 1994 (Heisei 6), the team rose rapidly through the Kyūshū leagues and was in the Top ...

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

The top 4 sides of the regular season (Suntory, Toshiba, Sanyo, and NEC) competed in the 2012 Top League Champions Cup knock-out tournament for the Top League title at

Chichibu is a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 61,159 in 26,380 households and a population density of . The total area of the city is . Geography Chichibu is in the westernmost part of Saitama. Unlik ...

, Tokyo. Suntory defeated Sanyo 47–28 in the final to win the title. Both teams met again a few weeks later in the final of the 49th

All-Japan Rugby Football Championship The All-Japan Rugby Football Championship (日本ラグビーフットボール選手権大会 ''Nihon Ragubi- Futtobo-ru Senshuken Taikai'') is played at the end of the season and is doubling as the title playoff in the Top League. The first champ ...

. Additionally, in the Wildcard play-offs, the Top League teams ranked 5th and 8th (Kintetsu Liners and Yamaha Jubilo) played each other at Hanazono, Osaka, as did the teams ranked 6th and 7th (Kobe Steelers and Ricoh Black Rams), with the winners (Kobe and Yamaha) also qualifying for the All-Japan Rugby Football Championship.

Eighth season (2010–11)

and

Kyuden Voltex Kyūshu Kyuden Voltex is a Japanese rugby team owned by Kyushu Electric Power Co. (Kyūshū Denryoku). The nickname "Voltex" is a conflation of "Voltage" and "Techniques" and was decided after the team won promotion to the Top League. The team i ...

were automatically relegated at the completion of the 2009–10 season for finishing 13th and 14th.

and

won promotion through the Top Challenge series. The following teams were in the league: *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

The top 4 sides (Toshiba, Sanyo, Toyota and Suntory) from the regular season competed in a knock out tournament to fight for the Top League title. In the final, Sanyo defeated Suntory 28–23.

Seventh season (2009–10)

IBM Big Blue and Yokogawa Atlastars were automatically relegated at the completion of the 2008–9 season for finishing 13th and 14th. Ricoh and Honda won promotion through the Top Challenge series. Kyuden and Sanix retained their places in Top League when they won their respective promotion and relegation play-offs. The following teams were in the league: *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Sixth season (2008–9)

returned to the league, and Yokogawa Denki were promoted for the first time (and renamed

Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars Yokogawa Musashino Atlastars is a Japanese rugby union team based in Musashino, Tokyo. They won promotion to the Top League for one season in 2008–09 being relegated that same season. History The team was founded as Yokogawa Denki in 1946. ...

in the off season). They replaced

and

Mitsubishi Sagamihara DynaBoars also known as Mitsubishi Juko Sagamihara Rugby Club, are a Japanese rugby union team based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. The owner of this club is Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The club was founded in 1981. It ...

. The following teams were in the league: *

* IBM Big Blue *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Fifth season (2007–8)

and

joined the league for the first time. The following 14 teams were in the Top League in the 2007–08 season: *

* IBM Big Blue *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

The top four teams (Sanyo, Suntory, Toyota and Toshiba) played in the fifth

to decide the league champion. Suntory beat Sanyo 14–10 in the final to become the 2007–08 champions. Mitsubishi (14th) and Ricoh (13th) were automatically relegated.

Fourth season (2006–7)

The number of teams was increased from 12 to 14. Coca-Cola West Red Sparks became the second Kyushu-based team in the Top League. IBM returned to the league. *

* IBM Big Blue *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

World Fighting Bull World Fighting Bull were a Japanese rugby union team that played in the county's Top League competition. The team was the rugby team of clothing company World Co., based in Kobe in the Kansai The or the lies in the southern-central region of ...

The top four teams in the league played in the

which was officially integrated into the league from this season as the "Top League Play-off Tournament Microsoft Cup". Toshiba won the cup and also won the All-Japan Championship. Secom and World (13th and 14th) were automatically relegated, to be replaced by

, the third team from Kyushu to enter the league, and

from Kanto.

Twelve teams 2003 to 2006

Third season (2005–6)

After the pre-season 2005 Challenge series, Secom and Sanix returned after a year out of the league, replacing Kintetsu and IBM. The following 12 teams competed in the third season: *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Toshiba again won both the league round-robin and the

knockout competition contested by the top 8 teams after the regular season. Coca-Cola West Japan (now Coca-Cola West Red Sparks) gained promotion to the League at the end of the season. IBM also gained promotion to return to the league.

Second season (2004–5)

Following the 2004 Challenge series with IBM and Toyota being promoted, the following 12 teams competed in the second season: *

* Nihon IBM Big Blue *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Toshiba won both the league round-robin and the Microsoft Cup knockout competition contested by the top 8 teams after the regular season. The eleventh and twelfth teams (Kintetsu and IBM) were automatically relegated, and the ninth and tenth placed teams (World and Ricoh) had to win their 2005 promotion and relegation play-offs (''Irekaesen'') to stay in the Top League, which they did.

First season (2003–4)

The first season began with 12 teams: *

* Sanyo Wild Knights *

Toshiba won the inaugural Top League title by finishing on top of the round-robin competition. The top eight teams qualified for the inaugural

. Toshiba went on to lose the final of Microsoft Cup to NEC, but the cup was considered a separate competition to the Top League prior to 2007. Secom and Sanix were relegated at the end of the season. IBM and Toyota were promoted.

Champions

;Notes : *

won the

in 2003–04. The Cup was considered a separate competition to the Top League prior to 2007.

Notable foreign players

The following foreign players that have played in the Top League have either won or been nominated for a major IRB award, played in a Rugby World Cup, played for a combined-nations touring side, or captained their national team. {, style="margin-left:1em; font-size:90%;" ,

Kieran Read Kieran James Read (born 26 October 1985) is a New Zealand former rugby union player. He played as a number 8 and is a former captain of the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. Read played for New Zealand from 2008 to 2019. He is one of ...

(2007–present) , , – 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - , Ben Smith (2007–present) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - ,

Aaron Cruden Aaron Wiremu Cruden (born 8 January 1989) is a New Zealand rugby union player, who plays for Waikato and formerly Montpellier, Manawatu and New Zealand internationally. Cruden's usual position is fly-half (first five-eighth). Early life Cru ...

(2010–present) , , – 2011 World Cup (Champions) , - ,

Beauden Barrett Beauden John Barrett (born 27 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a First five-eighth or Fullback for the Blues in Super Rugby and Taranaki in the Bunnings NPC. Barrett won the World Rugby Player of the Year awards ...

(2011–present) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - ,

TJ Perenara Thomas Tekanapu Rawakata Perenara (born 23 January 1992), commonly known as TJ Perenara, is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a half-back for the Black Rams Tokyo in the Japan Rugby League One. He has previously played for the Hu ...

(2012–present) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - ,

Sam Whitelock Samuel Lawrence Whitelock (born 12 October 1988) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. Whitelock has played over 150 tests for New Zealand since his debut in 2010 and is the youngest New Zealander to reach 100 tests. He is the fastest ...

(2010–present) , , – 2011, 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - ,

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(2011–present) , , – 2019 World Cup , - ,

Brodie Retallick Brodie Allan Retallick (born 31 May 1991) is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, who currently plays as a lock for Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One competition. He previously played for the Chiefs in Super Rugby and in N ...

(2012–present) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups (2015 Champions) , - , , , – 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups (2011 and 2015 Champions) , - ,

Ma'a Nonu Ma'a Allan Nonu (; born 21 May 1982) is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand who currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14. He plays as an inside centre, but can also cover outside centre and wing. He was a key member of the All ...

(2011–2020) , , – 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups (2011 Champions) , - ,

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(2012–2020) , , – 2011 and 2015 World Cups (2011 and 2015 Champions) , - ,

Ryan Crotty Ryan Stevenson Crotty (born 23 September 1988) is a New Zealand-born former rugby union Rugby player. Crotty has previously played for the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition and Canterbury in the ITM Cup, captaining both teams. He is curr ...

(2009–2020) , , – 2019 World Cup , - ,

Jerome Kaino Jerome Kaino (born 6 April 1983) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. In 2004, he was named IRB International Under-21 player of the year. In 2011, he was named the New Zealand Rugby player of the year, finishing ahead of Richie McCaw ...

(2004–2018) , , – 2011 and 2015 World Cups (2011 and 2015 Champions) , - ,

Rico Gear Rico Levi Gear (born 26 February 1978) is a former New Zealand rugby union player. He was a specialist right wing but also covered midfield positions. He is the older brother of New Zealand winger Hosea Gear Club career Gear was educated at G ...

(1999–2010) , , – 20-capped New Zealand international , - ,

Leon MacDonald Leon Raymond MacDonald (born 21 December 1977) is a retired New Zealand rugby union footballer, and former head coach for the Auckland Blues rugby team, who played 56 tests for the national team, the All Blacks. He played as a first five-eighth ...

(1997–2010) , , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - ,

Reuben Thorne Reuben David Thorne (born 2 January 1975) is a New Zealand rugby union player, and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. Now involved with Big Brother Big Sister and is the Christ College first xv coach. Professional career and ...

(1996–2009) , , – 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - ,

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(1999–2015) , , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , Tony Brown (1999–2011) , , – 1999 World Cup , - , {{nowrap, {{flagicon , Australia

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(2006–present) , , – 2011 World Cup , - , {{nowrap, {{flagicon , Australia

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(2017–2018){{pad, 1.5em , , – 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups , - , {{nowrap, {{flagicon , Australia

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(2013–present){{pad, 1.5em , , – 2007 and 2011 World Cups , - , {{nowrap, {{flagicon , Australia

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(2016–2018) , , – 2010 and 2011 IRB Player of the Year nominee; 2011 and 2015 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Australia

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(2008–2011) , , – 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups (1999 Champions); 2003 and 2007 World Cup Team Captain , - , {{flagicon , Australia George Smith (2011–2018) , , – 2001 IRB Player of the Year nominee; 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Australia

Digby Ioane Digby Ioane (born 14 July 1985) is an Australian professional rugby union footballer who played for the Colorado Raptors in Major League Rugby (MLR). Ioane previously played for Panasonic Wild Knights in the Top League in Japan. He also play ...

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Toutai Kefu Rodger Siaosi Toutai Kefu (born 8 April 1974) is a Tongan-Australian professional rugby union coach and former player who has been coaching the Tonga national team since 2016. Kefu acquired 60 test caps while primarily playing the position of ...

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Wycliff Palu Wycliff Palu (born 27 July 1982), known as Cliffy Palu, is an Australian former professional rugby union footballer of Tongan descent. He played for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby and represented in 58 tests. Early life Palu was ...

(2016–2017) , , – 2007, 2011 and 2015 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Australia

Joe Roff Joseph Ward Roff (born 20 September 1975) is an Australian former professional rugby union footballer who played on the Wing (rugby union), wing or at Fullback (rugby union), fullback for ACT Brumbies and Australia national rugby union team, A ...

(2005–2006) , , – 1999 and 2003 World Cups (1999 Champions) , - , {{flagicon , Australia

Craig Wing Craig Wing (born 26 December 1979), also known by the nickname of "Wingy", is an Australian-born former professional rugby league and rugby union footballer. He began his career in rugby league, playing for the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the S ...

(2010–2013) , , – Australian Rugby League international , - , {{flagicon , Canada

Colin Yukes Colin Yukes (born October 23, 1979, in Edmonton, Alberta) is a Canadian rugby player. He has represented Canada 27 times including at the 2003 Rugby World Cup. Colin started his rugby career with the Strathcona Druids, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada. ...

, , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , England

James Haskell James Andrew Welbon Haskell (born 2 April 1985) is an English former rugby union player who played chiefly as a flanker for Wasps RFC and Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership, and internationally for England. In August 2019 he announc ...

(2011–2012) , , – 2011 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , England

George Kruis George Edward John Kruis (born 22 February 1990) is an English former professional rugby union player. He played lock for Saracens and represented England and the British & Irish Lions. He was almost always used as a jumper in the line-out due ...

(2020–2022) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , England

Joe Launchbury Joseph Oliver Launchbury (born 12 April 1991) is a former English rugby union lock. He represented England at international level and previously played for the under-18s and under-20s before making his Test debut in 2012. Launchbury plays ma ...

(2022–2023) , , – 2015 and 2019 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , England

Geoff Parling Geoff Parling (born 28 October 1983) is an English rugby union coach and former player. His usual playing position was lock. Parling played for Newcastle Falcons, Leicester Tigers and Exeter Chiefs in Premiership Rugby, he won three English ti ...

(2017–2018) , , – 2012

British and Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England national rugby union team, England, Ireland national rugby union team, Ireland, Scotland national rugby union team, Scotland, and ...

, - , {{flagicon , Fiji

Kele Leawere Senikavika Kelemete Leawere (born 27 April 1974) is a Fijian rugby union player. He plays as a lock. Career He is the elder brother of former Fiji sevens rep, Mika Leawere and Sekove Leawere. He departed for New Zealand in 1996 and has made ...

, , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Fiji

Nemani Nadolo Nemani Nadolo (formerly Ratu Nasiganiyavi; born 31 January 1988) is a Fijian-Australian former rugby union player. He most recently played for the New South Wales Waratahs in Super Rugby, usually as a wing or centre, and the Fiji national team. ...

, , – 2015 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , Fiji Marika Vunibaka , , – 1999 and 2003 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Samoa Seilala Mapusua , , – 2007 and 2011 World Cups; 2004, 2006 and 2008

Pacific Islanders Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, Pacificans, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subreg ...

international , - , {{flagicon , Samoa

Semo Sititi Semo Sititi (born 6 March 1974) is a rugby union footballer in Samoa. He was born in Motootua. Career He is a flanker and last played for Ricoh in Japan, having previously played for Celtic League side Border Reivers and Manu Samoa internationa ...

, , – 1999, 2003 and 2007 World Cups; 2007 World Cup Team Captain; 2004, 2006 and 2008

international , - , {{flagicon , Samoa

Alesana Tuilagi Alesana "Alex" Tuilagi (born 24 February 1981) is a former Samoans, Samoan rugby union, rugby player. He is a retired rugby player, currently residing in Fogapoa Savaii and has appeared numerous times for his national team Samoa national rugby u ...

, , – 2007 and 2011 World Cups; 2006

international , - , {{flagicon , South Africa Thinus Delport (2008–2010) , , – 2003 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , South Africa Jacque Fourie , , – 2006 and 2009 IRB Player of the Year nominee , - , {{nowrap, {{flagicon , South Africa Fourie du Preez (2011–2016) , , – 2007 and 2011 World Cups (2007 Champions) , - , {{flagicon , South Africa

Danie Rossouw Daniel Jacobus Rossouw (born 5 June 1978) is a South African former professional rugby union footballer who played as a second row forward or back row forward. He played for the Bulls in the Super Rugby competition. Rossouw made his provincial ...

, , – 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups (2007 Champions) , - , {{flagicon , South Africa

Jaco van der Westhuyzen Jaco van der Westhuyzen (born 6 April 1978) is a South African former professional rugby union footballer who played fly-half or fullback. Early life Born in Groblersdal, Mpumalanga province, South Africa, van der Westhuyzen was educated at B ...

, , – 2003 World Cup Team Captain , - , {{flagicon , South Africa

Kwagga Smith Albertus Stephanus 'Kwagga' Smith (born 11 June 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan Rugby League One and the South Africa national team. His regular position is flank ...

(2018–present) , , – 2019 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , South Africa

Faf de Klerk François de Klerk (born 19 October 1991) known by his nickname Faf, is a South African professional rugby union player who plays scrum-half for Japan Rugby League One club Yokohama Canon Eagles and the South Africa national team. He was a ...

(2022–present) , , – 2019 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , Tonga

Pierre Hola Pierre Hola (born 9 June 1978) is an Australian-born former rugby union footballer. He represented Tonga and played club rugby in the Australian Shute Shield for Eastwood. Career Hola made his debut for Tonga in September 1998 in a match agai ...

, , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Tonga Hale T-Pole , , – 2007 World Cup , - , {{flagicon , Tonga Sione Tuʻipulotu , , – 1999 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , USA

Todd Clever Todd Stanger Clever (born January 16, 1983) is an American retired rugby union player. He became the first American to play Super Rugby. At the international level, he was a member of the United States national team, served as captain, and is t ...

, , – 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups; former USA captain , - , {{flagicon , USA

Mike Hercus Mike Hercus (born June 5, 1979) is an American former professional rugby union player who played at fly-half for the United States national team and several top-level professional clubs around the globe. Hercus is the USA Eagles' all-time leadin ...

(2008–2009) , , – 2003 and 2007 World Cups , - , {{flagicon , Wales

Shane Williams Shane Mark Williams, (born 26 February 1977) is a Welsh former rugby union player most famous for his long and successful tenure as a wing for the Ospreys and the Wales national team. He also played scrum-half on occasion. Williams is the r ...

, , – 2003, 2007 and 2011 World Cups; 2005, 2009 and 2013

References

{{reflist, refs= {{cite web , date= 21 August 2014 , title=Top League to introduce new officiating system this season , publisher=The Japan Times , url= http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/08/21/more-sports/rugby/top-league-to-introduce-new-officiating-system-this-season/#.VLUjflcsFFs , url-status=live , archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150113135800/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2014/08/21/more-sports/rugby/top-league-to-introduce-new-officiating-system-this-season/ , archive-date=13 January 2015

External links

Japan Rugby League One site

Team profiles
(English)

(Japanese)

{{Webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100726220747/http://www.jrfu-members.com/open/movie/index.html , date=26 July 2010 {{Japan Rugby Top League {{Rugby union in Japan {{Sports leagues in Japan {{Top-level rugby union club competitions

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

Sports leagues established in 2003 2003 establishments in Japan Professional sports leagues in Japan

Rugby System's Divisions

Division 1

Division 2

Division 3

Developments

Related competitions

Seasons

Sixteen teams: 2012 onwards

Fourteen teams: 2006 to 2012

Ninth season (2011–12)

Eighth season (2010–11)

Seventh season (2009–10)

Sixth season (2008–9)

Fifth season (2007–8)

Fourth season (2006–7)

Twelve teams 2003 to 2006

Third season (2005–6)

Second season (2004–5)

First season (2003–4)

Champions

Notable foreign players

See also

References

External links