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Hanazono National High School Rugby Opens With 56 Teams as First-Round Action Begins

Seeded contenders enter on Dec. 30 as early blowouts and milestone wins start to define the path toward the Jan. 7 final.

Overview

  • The 105th National High School Rugby Tournament opened on Dec. 27 at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka with an expanded 56-school field.
  • First-round matches began immediately after the opening ceremony, with ten games on opening day and additional first-round ties continuing on Dec. 28–29.
  • North Hokkaido representative Engaru was eliminated after a 5–74 loss to Onomichi in the first round.
  • Ritsumeikan Keisho earned its first Hanazono victory by defeating Sendai Ikuei.
  • Top seeds such as Toin Gakuen and Osaka Toin enter in the second round on Dec. 30, and the championship match is set for Jan. 7.