I had just finished my career with the Ospreys and Wales. I was used to everything that comes with international and professional rugby; things like cryotherapy recovery and top-quality facilities.
When I got to Japan, I remember that initially we trained on a grass field in the middle of the Mitsubishi factory and we had a Rocky-style gym which was pretty basic to be honest.
Japanese rugby has come a long, long way since then. Next season, the Top League – which I’ve watched a lot of this year – plans on becoming fully professional for the first time. I truly believe this will change the rugby world forever and have a real impact.
Japanese rugby is on the up and from my time there, I know they are not a country to rest on their laurels. They will want to build and continue to grow. With a fully professional league, the sky is the limit for Japan.
For the last decade or so there has been a fairly constant stream of world-class foreigners going to play in Japan. I’m not sure I fit into that category, but when I was in Japan there were guys like Sonny Bill Williams, Ma’a Nonu, Matt Giteau, and Jaque Fourie there. They were certainly all world-class!
Denne historien er fra May 23, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra May 23, 2021-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Unbeaten Lymm put the Tykes on a leash
LYMM maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign, taking the major scalp of Leeds Tykes and ending the visitors' unblemished start.
Dramatic late win boosts leaders
A LAST-minute converted try saw Tonbridge Juddians snatch victory from the jaws of defeat at Barnes.
England need to be more consistent
I WAS at last week's game against the All Blacks and as much as I enjoyed my first visit to the stadium since the Six Nations, I couldn't help noticing a different attitude of those in control of the stadium's notification system which puts out messages to the crowd.
Cuthbert: Wales have to deliver
ALEX Cuthbert says the pressure on Wales is huge ahead of their opening Autumn Nations Series game against Fiji today.
Anyanwu heads the list of star attractions
TOP 14 transfer speculation is always thoroughly entertaining, and this season has so far been no exception.
Goldthorp can challenge Kildunne for No.15 spot
LOUGHBOROUGH Lightning head coach Nathan Smith is backing Fran Goldthorp to compete with Ellie Kildunne, right, for England's No.15 jersey.
Four-try David calls the shots for Bears
MILLIE David helped Bristol blow Leicester away after scoring four of their 10 tries at Welford Road.
Scott-Young keen to follow his father
TYPICAL of most Australians, Scott-Young Angus has fairly sunny disposition and the loose forward is confident that Saints can soon start to turn things around on the road.
When value for money is not part of the deal
ENGLAND'S bench strategy against New Zealand - goodbye \"bomb squad\", hello \"squib squad\"-has been investigated, psychoanalysed, convicted on all charges and mercilessly sentenced by the entire rugby world and its maiden aunt, so there is no earthly point in returning to the scene of the crime.
'I want to prove my worth to Bath'
OUT-OF-FAVOUR winger RuBath aridh McConnochie is hoping to use the Premiership Cup to lay down a challenge to Johann van Graan and make his selection claims impossible to ignore.
