Ex-All Blacks star Richie Mo'unga copped a yellow card for a jarring cover tackle as his Toshiba Brave Lupus triumphed over the defending champion Kubota Spears.
All eight of the nations to make the knockout rounds of the 2019 Rugby World Cup will already be beginning to look at their transition plans for RWC 2023.
Japan have won over the hearts and minds of the rugby world with their displays at the RWC and here are the future stars who can sustain and build on that success.
Japan's youngsters booked their passage back to the World Rugby Under-20 Championship on Sunday night with a narrow Trophy final win over Portugal in Brazil.
The World Rugby U20 Trophy may not produce the same amount of global stars as the Championship, but these nine could go very far at the highest level. There is no shortage of talent in the second tier.
A shortlist of the up and coming young stars to watch out for in 2019, with all nine of these talents capable of having a breakout year and rocketing to the top of their respective competitions.
The 11th edition of the World Rugby U20 Championship came to an end today, as France claimed their first ever title at the tournament, beating England 33-25 in Béziers, thanks in large to a phenomenal effort from their dominant pack.
