Rugby union in Asia

Action at the Dubai Sevens

Rugby union in Asia is governed by the Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU). As of December 2009 there are 28 ARFU member unions, of whom 15 are full members of World Rugby, and six further associate members of World Rugby in Asia.[1] The flagship tournament for promoting the sport in Asia is the Asian Five Nations,[2] which launched in 2008, and which most recently in 2011 saw the national teams of Hong Kong (national team), Japan (national team), Kazakhstan (national team), Sri Lanka (national team) and the UAE, compete in the main tournament.[3]

The sport in Asia is currently dominated by Japan,[4] the only Asian nation to be represented on World Rugby's executive council.[5] The Japanese national team are so far the only Asian team to have competed in the Rugby World Cup,[6] having appeared in all seven tournaments so far. Japan served as the hosts for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, which saw them become the first Asian country to host the tournament.[7]

The Top League is Japan's premier rugby club competition, founded in 2003. In 2016, the Sunwolves joined the Southern Hemisphere-based Super Rugby. The team is based in Tokyo but also plays home games in Singapore.

  1. ^ "HSBC Asian Five Nations Rugby Tournament 2010". HSBC Asian Five Nations. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  2. ^ "Inaugural Asian Five Nations set for kick off". International Rugby Board. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  3. ^ "Japan and HK vie for RWC 2011 place". International Rugby Board. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Japan target two wins at Rugby World Cup". Rugby Week. 23 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 May 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  5. ^ "IRB Council". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 15 June 2010. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  6. ^ "Japan signal intentions to claim Asia 1 spot". Rugby World Cup 2011. International Rugby Board. Retrieved 4 June 2010.
  7. ^ "England will host 2015 World Cup". BBC. 7 July 2009. Retrieved 7 July 2009.