Career
Hirose made his debut for Japan in 2007 against Hong Kong at fly-half and scored 2 tries, but he never featured again under coach John Kirwan. At domestic level though, in 2009 and 2010 he captained the Toshiba Brave Lupus to back to back Top League victories in 2009 and 2010. He had to wait 5 years for his second cap when he was named as new captain of the Japan national rugby team 5 years since his debut, by new coach Eddie Jones.
He by now had converted from fly-half to wing, he went onto play every game for Japan in 2012 scoring 4 tries and led them to their first ever away wins in Europe against Romania and Georgia.
He was also infamously on the receiving end of a rant by Jones after a loss to the French Barbarians in June. He continued as captain in 2013 and in June he led Japan to their first ever victory over Wales.