18 Olympians from nine nations taking part in Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan

In an historic first for the Rugby World Cup, 18 Olympians from nine nations are set to take to the field at Japan 2019, the first Rugby World Cup to be held in Asia, which begins on Friday when hosts Japan take on Russia at Tokyo Stadium. 

Three years ago in Brazil, rugby sevens made an explosive debut at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with the fast-paced format thrilling fans as Fiji steamrolled their way to gold, beating Great Britain 43-7 in the final.

The 18 Olympians have all successfully made the switch from playing sevens at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games to be selected for Rugby World Cup 2019, the showpiece event in the 15s game.

The list of Olympians contains eight medallists including Four Fijians - Leone Nakarawa, Viliame Mata, Josua Tuisova and Semi Kunatani – the first three of which scored tries in the gold medal match to claim Olympic glory in Rio.

Two Great Britain silver medallists Ruaridh McConnochie and James Davies, who will represent England and Wales respectively at Japan 2019, and bronze medallists Chelsin Kolbe and Kwagga Smith from South Africa complete the line-up of Olympic medal winners in Japan.

Also on the roster of Olympians is New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams (pictured), and All Blacks teammate Reiko Ione who was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2017.

Host nation Japan include three Olympians from the team who finished an impressive fourth at Rio 2016 and Argentina, France and the USA also include Olympians in their Rugby World Cup squads. Fiji captain Leone Nakarawa is hoping that new stars such as Josua Tuisova and Semi Kunatani – who are both competing at their first Rugby World Cup – will add a new potency to their play.

Rugby sevens is set to make its second appearance on the Olympic Games programme at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in July and August next year with qualification already well under way.