Minori Yamamoto will become the first ever Japanese player to represent Worcester Warriors after signing for the women’s team today.
The creative number-ten has 12 Japan caps to her name, five of those coming at the 2017 Rugby World Cup where she started every game.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Worcester Warriors,” said the 24-year-old, who has been the recipient of the Most Valuable Player award on three occasions in the Taio semei Women’s Sevens Series in Japan.
Jetting into the UK this Monday, Yamamoto is an exciting addition to Jo Yapp’s set-up and brings an attacking style of play coupled with an excellent kicking game both in hand and off the tee.
“We are really excited to have Minori join us,” said Warriors Women Director of Rugby Yapp.
“We have been really impressed already with the conversations we have had, and she is excited to play in the UK and eager to learn and develop.
“Japan have been playing some really exciting rugby and Minori is at the heart of that. We are really looking forward to her joining the Warriors family.”
Yamamoto becomes the third Japanese player to play in the Allianz Premier 15s, following in the footsteps of Ayaka Suzuki (Wasps) and Sachiko Kato (Exeter Chiefs). With a string ok key personnel such as Lydia Thompson and Alex Matthews signed up for next season, the addition of Yamamoto is the first of a series of new signings to be announced in the coming weeks.