At the event in Tokyo, players were given medals and caps commemorating the international sports competition, and captain Michael Leitch drew an eye on a daruma doll to pray for victory. Leitch said: “This is only chance in my lifetime to have an impact on 120 million people [in Japan]. I want to prove that we are strong.”
A ceremony to greet Ireland’s team, which will play Japan in Pool A, was also held in Chiba city on the day.