Blossoms bid to bloom on opening night

As Japan prepares to get Asia’s first Rugby World Cup underway at the Tokyo Stadium tonight (11.45am Irish time), it would be all too easy to forget their opponents as the planet turns its gaze towards the Brave Blossoms.

This is a global rugby showcase 10 years in the making and it is clear that the people of Japan have done their utmost to make it what World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont hopes will be a “transformational tournament”.