Japan defeated Italy 27-10 in their opening Nations Championship match at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on 4 July. Italy started well with a try from Brex, but the Brave Blossoms fought back through scores from Dearns, Matsunaga and Gunter.
The result gives Japan four points in the standings and leaves the Azzurri with zero after a tense first half that slipped away in the second period.