Minori Yamamoto (rugby union)

Minori Yamamoto (山本実 born 9 December 1996) is a Japanese rugby union and sevens player. She plays fly-half for Japan internationally and for Sale Sharks in Premiership Women's Ruby. She competed at the 2017 and 2021 Rugby World Cup's.

Early life
Yamamoto was born in Aoba Ward, Yokohama City in the Kanagawa Prefecture.

Rugby career
Yamamoto competed for Japan at the 2017 Rugby World Cup and started in every match. She played for Mie Pearls. She later played for Worcester Warriors in 2021.

Yamamoto kicked a conversion and a penalty to help her side beat South Africa in their warm-up match ahead of the 2021 World Cup. She competed for Japan at the delayed 2021 Rugby World Cup that was held in New Zealand.

On 8 December 2023, Sale Sharks announced that Yamamoto had signed for the club following the withdrawal of Worcester Warriors from the league. She received her first start for the Sharks in their game against the Saracens in 2024. She departed Sale at the end of the 2023–24 season.