Former England number 8 Nathan Hughes revealed that he will be playing his rugby outside of Europe next season, announcing a move to Japan.
“I’m going to Japan,” said Hughes, who departs Bristol Bears this summer.
“(It is) closer to home, closer to the kids and I feel my time in the Premiership has come to an end.
“It’s been huge progress in my career, coming from New Zealand to where I am now. At 31, hopefully I can get a few games under my belt.
“It’s been a pleasure playing in the Premiership, one of the toughest competitions in the world,” he added.
“I’ve had nine years of playing in the Premiership and every game has been a tough one, especially here at the AJ Bell – always a hard place to play.
Here are five other England stars who could make surprise international rugby switches in the coming years.
#1. Zach Mercer (England to New Zealand)
- Age: 24
- Position: Number 8
- Current number of caps: 2
- Last cap: November, 2018
- Did you know? His father is former rugby league footballer and coach Gary Mercer, who played for New Zealand and the New Zealand Māori rugby league team
