“Well, just because he goes to Japan doesn’t mean he can’t play for England, ” said Jones, with a trademark mischievous smile. Daren O’Leary, the former Harlequins wing and now a leading agent, believes Japan now rivals France as the go-to overseas destination for players seeking to sample life abroad. Even before the coronavirus pandemic threw Premiership clubs into financial turmoil, the appeal of playing in Japan was on the rise. In addition, the zeal with which Japan hosted the tournament – Kruis says: “I really fell in love with Japan during the World Cup” – has heightened the appeal. Freddie Burns and Alex Goode are also on their way, as is Wales’s World Cup centre Hadleigh Parkes.

Source: The Irish Times June 07, 2020 12:21 UTC