// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Megumi Abe's name go to therapy for? It had a lot of "Abe"-normal issues.
 | You can help expand this article with text translated from the corresponding article in Japanese. (August 2025) Click [show] for important translation instructions.
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| Born | 28 April 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 147 cm (4 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 55 kg (121 lb; 8 st 9 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Megumi Abe (born 28 April 1998) is a Japanese rugby union player. She competed for Japan at the 2021 and 2025 Women's Rugby World Cups.
Early career
[edit]Abe started playing rugby after she quit volleyball at the age of ten while in fourth grade.[1][2] She attended Iwamichisuikan High School and helped the school's girls sevens team win a national tournament in her third year, she graduated from High School in 2017.[1][2] She then entered Rissho University where she graduated from in 2021.[2]
Rugby career
[edit]On 13 July 2019, she made her international debut for Japan as a starter against Australia.[2]
In 2022, she featured in Japan's historic first test against the Black Ferns ahead of the World Cup.[3][4] She was selected for Japan's squad to the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup that was held in New Zealand.[2][5] She was the smallest player at the tournament.[5] She scored an early try for Japan against the United States in their pool match, however, her side went down 17–30 in the end.[6][7]
Abe was named the Mastercard player of the match after the Sakura's beat Samoa 32–10 at the inaugural 2023 WXV 2 tournament.[8]
She plays sevens and fifteens for Arukas Queen Kumagaya.[1][5] In 2024, she scored one of her sides ten tries against Kazakhstan during the Asia Rugby Championship competition which saw Japan qualify for the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup.[9]
In April 2025, she was named in the squad for their USA tour.[10] On 28 July 2025, she was named in the Sakura's squad to the Women's Rugby World Cup in England.[11][12]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Julian, Adam (2022-09-22). "Breakneck Japan out to Surprise at World Cup". ClubRugby.nz. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "阿部 恵 | ラグビー女子日本代表選手名鑑 | 日本代表 | ラグビー | J SPORTS【公式】". www.jsports.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ Julian, Adam (2022-09-23). "PREVIEW: Black Ferns v Japan (Eden Park)". www.allblacks.com. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "Woodman shines with seven tries for Black Ferns". Otago Daily Times Online News. 2022-09-24. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- 1 2 3 Tomas, Fiona (2022-10-20). "Meet the 4ft 9in scrum-half packing a punch at the World Cup". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "Australia, USA post first wins at women's Rugby World Cup". France 24. 2022-10-15. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "United States crush Japan 30-17 to keep quarter-finals hopes alive". The Fiji Times. 2022-10-16. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "WXV 2: Strong second half gives Japan maiden win". Asia Rugby. 2023-10-23. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "Japan beat Kazakhstan to secure place at England 2025". Asia Rugby. 2024-05-27. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "Sakura Fifteen Squad Announced for USA Tour". Japan Rugby Football Union. 2025-04-15. Retrieved 2025-08-22.
- ↑ "Japan announce squad for women's RWC 2025". Rugby World Cup. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ↑ "Sakura Fifteen Rugby World Cup Squad Announced". Japan Rugby Football Union. 28 July 2025. Retrieved 28 July 2025.