Japanese tour itinerary

By Jason Harris
August 12 2002

Saracens begin their tour to Japan for their final two warm-up games before the start of the Zurich Premiership season on 1 September.

Not only is this exercise one that will be of benefit to the Sarries players and marketing people , but also the Japanese rugby public. As well as playing two games, the squad will be taking part in coaching clinics with local rugby players.

Saracens MD Tim Lawler said of the trip: "This tour will afford us the opporutnity to use our experience as a sports business and in community relations to impact on rugby players in Japan. Working with the Japanese RFU to develop rugby in their community is an extension of our philosophy."

The squad are to be divided into to groups, the first leaving on Monday 12 August, the other on Tuesday 13. The last players to return will be back on 27 August, giving them four days to prepare for the trip to Bristol Shoguns.

The intinerary:

12 August: Flight 1 departs for Tokyo

13 August: Flight 2 departs for Tokyo, Flight 1 Arrives

14 August: Flight 2 Arrives. Whole squad transer fot base at Fukuoka

15,16,17 August: Squad training

18 August: Game 1 - Sanix v Saracens at Tosu Stadium Fukuoka

19 August: Coaching clinic at Tosu Stadium

20 August: Squad transfer to Tokyo

21,22,23,24 August: Squad training

25 August: Game 2 - Suntory v Saracens at the National Stadium, Tokyo

26 August: Flight 1 leaves for London

27 August: Flight 2 leaves for London