Takashi Kikutani

Who is Takashi Kikutani?

Takashi Kikutani is a Japanese rugby union player. He plays as a number 8 or flanker for the Japan national rugby team and Toyota Verblitz.

Kikutani first played for the Japan 7's team in 1999 and represented them at the 2005 Rugby World Cup Sevens before making his debut for Japan in November 2005 against Spain where he scored a try. He established himself in the side through 2006 but was ruled out of the 2007 Rugby World Cup with a knee injury.

After recovering from injury, he returned to the side and took over Takuro Miuchi as captain in November 2008 by coach John Kirwan and remained the Japan captain until the end 2011 Rugby World Cup.

After that tournament which was a disappointing one for Japan who failed to win a game, he was replaced as captain by Toshiaki Hirose and left out the squad altogether by new coach Eddie Jones. He soon returned for the 2012 Pacific Nations Cup, and has re-established himself as a key member of the Japan squad and as vice captain to Hirose. He was singled out by Jones as one of the few Japanese players who has the attitude and physicality to be able to "smash" players.

Kikutani is the second highest try scorer of all time by a forward with 31 tries, only Diego Ormaechea of Uruguay has scored more.