Rugby: Wallabies Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale to conceal tattoos at World Cup

Wallabies Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale will have to conceal their tattoos during next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan to avoid offending locals, despite their cultural significance.

World Rugby has made an official warning that players and fans should avoid displaying their tattoos as is customary in the country, as body art has an association with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia.

That means player like Folau and Beale may have no option but to adopt the use of sun sleeves, long-sleeved T-shirts and even rash-vests throughout the entirety of the tournament.

“We won’t force any teams to cover up but they will want to because they want to be seen to be respecting the culture,” Rugby World Cup head Alan Gilpin said.

“They’ll also buy into the idea of putting on a rash vest in the pool or in a gym...it will all be self-policing.

The expectation is not just confined to competition with players and fans expected to adhere to the custom throughout the entirety of their stay in the country.

Rob Simmons, David Pocock and Bernard Foley are among the many Wallabies who do not have tattoos and will be unaffected by the custom.