Japan's leading points scorer Lee ruled out of Nations Championship with surgery needed

Seungsin Lee, international rugby’s leading points scorer in 2025, will miss Japan’s entire Nations Championship programme after head coach Eddie Jones confirmed the fly-half requires surgery on an undisclosed injury.

Lee accumulated 122 points across 11 Tests this year — a 100 per cent appearance record for the Brave Blossoms — at a goal-kicking strike rate of 88 per cent. He is one of 14 players listed as unavailable through injury in Japan’s training squad announcement.

The 25-year-old was in fine form as recently as Sunday, kicking five penalties and a conversion to help Kobelco Kobe Steelers beat Kubota Spears 22-13 in the JRLO Championship final — the club’s third Japanese title. He played the full 80 minutes before the extent of his injury became clear.

“Lee probably needs an operation which will put him out of action for a while,” Jones told rugbyjp.com. “We’re looking for 10s who are really good at attacking the line. We want to play with tempo. When there’s a chance to speed up the game, that’s what we want to do. We’re looking for 10s who understand the flow of the game.”

Lee’s absence means Japan head into the Nations Championship without their two most potent attacking threats at fly-half. South Africa’s Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu — who finished just two points behind Lee in the 2025 international scoring charts — is also sidelined after picking up an ankle injury in the Stormers’ URC quarter-final win over Cardiff.

Japan open their Nations Championship campaign against Italy at the Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo on 4 July, before travelling to Newcastle, Australia, to face Ireland on 11 July. The Brave Blossoms conclude the tournament against France at the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo on 18 July.

Jones, who will serve the final match of a four-game suspension for match official abuse against Italy, has yet to name his captain. Hurricanes lock Warner Dearns is the frontrunner to retain the armband after succeeding 92-cap veteran Michael Leitch, who has been included in the training squad despite stepping back from the captaincy.

“Warner Dearns has been absolutely outstanding in Super Rugby,” Jones said. “He’s playing with good players, he’s in the strongest Super Rugby team, and that’ll make him a better player. Michael Leitch doesn’t need to be the captain to be a leader. We’ll wait and see what Warner is like when he comes back.”

The training squad carries 398 caps in total, with up to 10 potential debutants included. A further 21 players are set to join the main group from 13 June.