Ryohei Yamanaka

{{short description|Japanese rugby union player}}

{{expand French|topic=bio|date=December 2021}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Ryohei Yamanaka

| image = Ryohei Yamanaka 2018b.jpg

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|06|22|df=y}}

| birth_place = Osaka Prefecture, Japan

| height = {{convert|1.88|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}

| nickname =

| occupation =

| school = Tokai High School

| university = Waseda University

| relatives =

| position = Fullback / Centre / Fly-half

| currentclub = Kobelco Steelers

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2013–present

| clubs1 = Kobelco Steelers

| apps1 = 72

| points1 = 321

| years2 = 2016–2018

| clubs2 = {{Rut|Sunwolves}}

| apps2 = 18

| points2 = 5

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 =

| amatcaps1 =

| amatpoints1 =

| repyears1 = 2008

| repteam1 = Japan U20

| repcaps1 = 3

| reppoints1 = 4

| repyears2 = 2010–present

| repteam2 = {{nrut|Japan}}

| repcaps2 = 30

| reppoints2 = 53

| clubupdate = 21 February 2021

| repupdate = 21 February 2021

}}

{{nihongo|Ryohei Yamanaka|山中 亮平|Yamanaka Ryohei|extra=born 22 June 1988 in Osaka Prefecture}} is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a fly-half or centre.He currently plays for Japanese club Kobelco Steelers. {{cite web | url=http://en.espn.co.uk/scrum/rugby/player/115377.html | title=Ryohei Yamanaka ESPN Scrum Player Profile | work=ESPN | accessdate=23 December 2015}}{{cite web | url=http://www.top-league.jp/player/profile/2015/profile189136.html | title=Ryohei Yamanaka Top League Player Profile | work=Top League | accessdate=23 December 2015 | language = Japanese}}

In 2011, Yamanaka received a 2 year ban from the IRB for rubbing a cream on his upper lip - in an attempt to promote moustache growth - which contained a banned steroid, either methyltestosterone or methandriol.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/8693345/Japans-Ryohei-Yamanaka-banned-for-two-years-over-drug-use-despite-moustache-claims.html | title = Japan's Ryohei Yamanaka banned for two years over drug use despite moustache claims | work=The Telegraph | date = 10 August 2011 | accessdate=18 November 2017 | language=English}}

In his home country he plays for the Kobelco Steelers whom he joined in 2013.{{cite web | url=http://www.kobelcosteelers.com/member/ryohei_yamanaka.html | title=Ryohei Yamanaka Kobelco Steelers Player Profile | work=Kobelco Steelers | accessdate=23 December 2015 | language = Japanese}}{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_13826.html | title=Ryohei Yamanaka itsrugby Player Statistics | work=itsrugby.co.uk | accessdate=23 December 2015}} He was also named in the first ever {{Rut|Sunwolves}} squad which will compete in Super Rugby from the 2016 season.{{cite web | url=http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/news/sunwolves-reveal-squad-hammett-to-coach/ | title=Sunwolves reveal squad, Hammett to coach | work=Sanzar Rugby | date = 21 December 2015 | accessdate=23 December 2015}} Yamanaka is a Japanese international who debuted against the Arabian Gulf in 2010, but did not make the squad for either the 2011 or 2015 Rugby World Cups.

On 19 September 2023, Yamanaka was called up to Japan's Rugby World Cup squad as an injury replacement for Semisi Masirewa.{{cite news |date=19 September 2023 |title=UPDATED: Yamanaka replaces injured Masirewa In Japan squad |work=Rugby World Cup |url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/2023/news/832580/japan-name-squad-for-rugby-world-cup-2023 |access-date=5 October 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=Ryohei Yamanaka Called into World Cup Squad as Injury Replacement |url=http://en.rugby-japan.jp/?p=30365 |access-date=2023-10-09 |website=Japan Rugby Football Union |language=en}}