A dynamic and fearless front-row star, Keita Inagaki looks set to play an important role in Japan's pack as the Brave Blossoms prepare for their 2023 Rugby World Cup journey.
Name | Keita Inagaki |
Nation | Japan |
Place of birth | Niigata, Japan |
Age | 33 |
Club | Saitama Wild Knights |
Position | Loosehead Prop |
Height | 6ft 1in |
Weight | 116kg |
International caps | 46 |
International points | 5 |
Keita Inagaki is a professional rugby union player who plays for the Saitama Wild Knights in Japan Rugby League One, as well as the Japan national side.
Keita Inagaki was born in Niigata, the capital and the most populous city of Niigata Prefecture in Japan.
Keita Inagaki is 33 years old. He was born 2nd June, 1990.
Previously playing the Melbourne Rebels and the dissolved Sunwolves in Super Rugby, Inagaki currently plays for the Saitama Wild Knights in Japan Rugby League One.
The Wild Knights finished top of the table last season with 15 wins from their 16 league games, only to lose 17-15 to Spears Funabashi in the playoff final.
Keita Inagaki plays in the Japan front-row as a loosehead prop.
Keita Inagaki can expect plenty of game-time for Japan at this World Cup having featured at the previous two major tournaments after making his debut back in 2014.
The prop was part of the side that caused one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, as the Brave Blossoms defeated South Africa in their opening game of the 2015 competition.
Given no hope against the Boks before the clash in Brighton, Japan produced one of the great World Cup performances to secure a 34-32 victory over South Africa on England’s south coast.
Inagaki went on to be selected at the following World Cup in 2019 and scored his one and only try of his international career in a famous pool-stage win over Scotland, which booked Japan’s place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Japan had also caused another major shock in the pool stage, with an impressive 19-12 victory against Ireland in Fukuroi.
The Brave Blossoms’ tournament would come to an end at that quarter-final stage when South Africa would have their revenge and secure a 26-3 victory. South Africa would go on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time in their history in the 2019 final.
Given his wealth of experience at major tournaments, Inagaki will be hoping to feature in all four of Japan’s group games, as they prepare to face Argentina, Chile, England and Samoa in Pool D.