Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

French club poised to sign Japanese RWC star Kotaro Matsushima - reports

Kotaro Matsushima's tries helped light up Japan's excellent World Cup campaign (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

A Japanese World Cup star is being lined up to help replace departing Clermont duo Nick Abendanon and Remi Grosso at the end of this season.

ADVERTISEMENT

Reports in France claim that the Englishman and his French colleague are expected to be soon off the books at the club, paving the way for the recruitment of Kotaro Matsushima for the 2020/21 season. 

The 26-year-old winger shot to prominence at the recent world finals, scoring five tries and finishing joint second on tournament’s overall try-scoring chart.  

According to rugbyrama.fr, Clermont’s initial port of call in identifying a new recruit was Racing’s Brice Dulin, but that trail went cold and they have instead focused their attention on  Matsushima who is currently under contract at Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese Top League. 

The World Cup wasn’t the first time Matsushima caught the attention of French eyes as he played at full-back in Japan’s 23-all draw with France in Paris in November 2017.

If the deal goes through, Matsushima would become the second Japanese player to play for Clermont, following in the pioneering footsteps of Daisuke Ohata who represented the club for a few months in 2002/03 before homesickness got the better of him.

WATCH: Anger grips Scotland after the revelation of what the SRU’s top executive was paid

ADVERTISEMENT
Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT
Play Video

South Africa vs Black Ferns XV | Women's International | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Namibia vs United Arab Emirates | Asia/Africa Rugby World Cup Play-off | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Lions Share | Episode 5

Play Video

Classic Wallabies vs British & Irish Legends | First Match | Full Match Replay

Play Video

Did the Lions loosies get away with murder? And revisiting the Springboks lift | Whistle Watch

Play Video

The First Test, Visiting The Great Barrier Reef & Poetry with Pierre | Ep 6: The Ultimate Test

Play Video

KOKO Show | July 22nd | Full Throttle with Brisbane Test Review and Melbourne Preview

Play Video

New Zealand v South Africa | World Rugby U20 Championship | Extended Highlights

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Long Reads

Comments on RugbyPass

TRENDING
TRENDING The feat Owen Farrell achieved with Lions series that no man has in pro era The feat Farrell achieved with Lions series that no man has in pro era