Ayano Nagai

Ayano Nagai
Date of birth (1997-10-14) 14 October 1997 (age 27)
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose Forward
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2020 Nippon Sport Science University (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
Yokohama TKM (0)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2019–Present  Japan 18 (0)

Ayano Nagai (born 永井彩乃 14 October 1997) is a Japanese rugby union player. She plays for Japan at an international level and competed in the 2021 Rugby World Cup.

Personal life

Nagai graduated from Nippon Sport Science University in 2020.[1]

Rugby career

Nagai plays for Yokohama TKM.[2] In 2022, she featured in the Sakura's victory against Ireland at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.[3] She was later selected in Japan's side for the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup that was held in New Zealand.[4]

In 2023, she competed at the Asia Rugby Championship.[5] She played for the Sakura's in a non-test match against Spain in Alcobendas.[6] She also featured in the second game against Spain which they won, 27–19.[7]

Nagai was selected in Japan's squad for the 2024 Asia Rugby Championship.[8][9] Her try in the 16th minute helped her side defeat Kazakhstan and secure a spot at the 2025 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 WXV 2 competition.[10][11]

References

  1. ^ "プレイヤーズブログ～2020新加入選手のご紹介 永井彩乃です!". YOKOHAMA TKMプレイヤーズブログ. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  2. ^ 一般社団法人TMG本部. "YOKOHAMA TKMはＴＭＧグループが組織する女子ラグビークラブです。" (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  3. ^ "Women's Internationals - Japan Women vs Ireland Women Rugby Union fixture". www.rugby.com.au. 2022-08-27. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  4. ^ JRFU. "(10月16日更新) 女子日本代表ニュージーランド遠征メンバーのお知らせ｜日本ラグビーフットボール協会｜RUGBY：FOR ALL「ノーサイドの精神」を、日本へ、世界へ。". www.rugby-japan.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  5. ^ worldrugby.org. "Japan cruise into WXV 2 as Asia women's champions | World Rugby". www.world.rugby. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  6. ^ "Big win for Japan in Spain". Scrum Queens. 2023-07-10. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  7. ^ "Japan overturn halftime deficit to beat Spain". Scrum Queens. 2023-07-15. Retrieved 2023-09-14.
  8. ^ "Sakura Fifteen's 26-member squad". Asia Rugby. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  9. ^ "Japan Squad Announced for Asia Rugby Women's Championship 2024". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2024-05-20. Retrieved 2024-05-26.
  10. ^ "Japan beat Kazakhstan to secure place at England 2025". www.world.rugby. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
  11. ^ Duskmourne, Quorra (2024-05-27). "Japan Secures Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 Berth with Dominant Display". Global Rugby Network. Retrieved 2024-05-28.