'Nothing but rugby' for Japan's elderly players

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At 86 years old, Ryuichi Nagayama is the oldest rugby player on this field.

He's broken his ribs, broken his collarbone and has to check for an irregular pulse from time to time.

But he says that doesn't stop him from playing the sport that he loves.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 86-YEAR-OLD RUGBY PLAYER, RYUICHI NAGAYAMA, WHEN ASKED IF HE HAS THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS RUGBY IS, SAYING:

"I can still do it. I can't stand not playing. That's it. This may sound strange but I lost my wife years ago and now I would say 'I don't mind dying playing rugby'."

He's part of a team of veteran rugby players in Japan known as the Fuwaku Club.

With the Rugby World Cup set to be hosted in Tokyo later this month, you don't have to look further than this club - made of players in their 40s and over - to get a sense of the country's long love affair with the sport.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 86-YEAR-OLD RUGBY PLAYER, RYUICHI NAGAYAMA, SAYING:

"We talk about how each other plays and no one gets angry about how we played. The atmosphere is great. In short, there is nothing but rugby for me."

Fuwaku is one of 150 Japanese clubs that stage matches for older rugby players.

It estimates there's over 10,000 veteran players at clubs across Japan.

And with one of the fastest aging populations in the world, rugby doesn't just keep the players active - it gives them a social life too.

71 year-old Tony Hartley says it helped him navigate the sometimes tricky path of meeting local people.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) 71-YEAR-OLD BRITISH RUGBY PLAYER, TONY HARTLEY, SAYING:

"I was really surprised because the scene doesn't really exist in the UK, certainly not at 60, 70. It was a really welcome surprise and a good way of making friends."

Health risks aren't far from the mind though.

Precautions are listed on Fuwaku's website and it even links to a life insurance company.

For players, the benefits seem to outweigh the potential risks.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) 86-YEAR-OLD RUGBY PLAYER, RYUICHI NAGAYAMA, SAYING:

"You tackle and battle each other, but gathering after the match is so enjoyable and fun."

As this generation of players grow even older and excitement over the World Cup continues to build up, the hope is it might inspire a whole new generation of rugby players.