LeRIRO Fukuoka
| Full name | LeRIRO Fukuoka |
|---|---|
| Union | Japan Rugby Football Union |
| Nickname | LR Fukuoka |
| Founded | 2022 |
| Location | Chikugo, Fukuoka |
| Coach | Masahiro Toyoda |
| League(s) | Japan Rugby League One, Division Three |
| Official website | |
| leriro-fukuoka | |
LeRIRO Fukuoka – known as LR Fukuoka – is a Japanese rugby union team, currently playing in the Japan Rugby League One.[1] The team is based in Chikugo, Fukuoka in the Fukuoka Prefecture.
The team was created in 2022 and, unlike the majority of Japanese professional sides, doesn't have a professional company.[2] The team was originally created to accommodate players without a club following Coca-Cola Red Sparks, based in Fukuoka, withdrawing from competition in 2021, with 30 players joining from that side.[3] Another local team, Munakata Sanix Blues based in Munakata, would also withdraw from competition in 2022, drawing more players to the team.[4] In July 2023, the team applied to join the new Japan Rugby League One competition.[5]
On 31 January 2024, it was announced the side would join the Japan Rugby League One competition, ahead of the 2024–25 season, competing in Division Three.[6] Unlike others sides who compete in Japan Rugby League One, players who play for the side don't have fixed salaries, and instead receive salaries from local companies and receive sponsorship from fans and companies.[7]
Notable players
Current squad
The LeRiRO Fukuoka squad for the 2025–26 season is:[8] [a] [b]
| LeRiRO Fukuoka squad | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Props
Hookers Locks |
Flankers
No8s Loose forwards Scrum-halves
Fly-halves |
Centres Wings
Fullbacks
Utility backs |
(c) denotes team captain.
|
References
- ^ "LeRIRO Fukuoka". Japan Rugby League One. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "LeRIRO Fukuoka". LeRIRO Fukuoka (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "福岡にラグビー新チーム「ＬｅＲＩＲＯ福岡」誕生へ、宗像サニックス廃部なら受け皿に". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 23 February 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "わずか1年で3チームが休部＆規模縮小 新リーグ創設の日本ラグビーが直面する課題". The Answer (in Japanese). 13 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "ジャパンラグビー リーグワン 新規参入 チーム申請状況のお知らせ". Japan Rugby League One (in Japanese). 18 July 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "ジャパンラグビー リーグワン2024-25シーズン 新規参入チーム決定のお知らせ". Japan Rugby League One (in Japanese). 31 January 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "大企業の後ろ盾なし、設立2年でリーグワン参入果たしたラグビークラブ「ルリーロ福岡」の驚きの"稼ぐ仕組み"". JB Press (in Japanese). 5 June 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2025.
- ^ "LeRiRO Fukuoka: Members" (in Japanese). LeRiRO Fukuoka. Retrieved 27 December 2024.