REPORT: Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell linked with Saracens departure

The league, which has the ambition to become the 'Premier League of rugby', is hopeful of massively expanding its profile following the successful 2019 World Cup.

The competition is already home to some of rugby's biggest stars, including All Black trio Kieran Read, Beauden Barrett and Brodie Retallick - as well as Wallabies captain Michael Hooper.

England internationals George Kruis, Alex Goode and Freddie Burns have also made the move to the fast expanding league.

The Top League chairman Osamu Ota said: “They are current England international players for England which is a great thing for us. In addition to them, if we can have Maro Itoje and Owen Farrell in the future in our league that would be a great thing for us. We also have Greig Laidlaw.

"Those European players are very popular in Japan. I want to make our league an attractive to league so that every player, wherever they are, will give consideration to coming here at some point in their career.”

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Playing as a wing or fullback, Robinson won 51 rugby union international caps for England and is the first black man to captain the England team. In 2012, his eldest son Lewis Tierney, who plays as a full back, signed a two-year deal with Wigan Warriors at age 18, but has won seven caps for Scotland to date.

Vunipola comes from vintage rugby stock and is already well on his way to following in the footsteps of cousins Billy and Mako as part of the England U20s set-up. His dad, Elisi Vunipola, played in Super Rugby for the Brumbies, as well as appearing 41 times for Tonga – including at the 1995 and 1999 Rugby World Cups – and was his country’s most-capped player upon retirement in 2005.

The son of All Black superstar Jonah has revealed he’d prefer to play for France if he goes onto follow in the footsteps of his legendary late father. Dhyreille Jonah Lomu, who currently plays on the wing, was born in France during his Jonah’s brief stint playing for Marseille, hence any eligibility discussions wouldn’t be an issue.

The idea of former Australia fly-half Michael Lynagh’s son playing for anyone other than the Wallabies may seem ludicrous given what he achieved with the green and gold in his playing days. But son Louis is progressing well in the England age-grade system having grown up in London. He’s stormed into the England U16s, whilst playing for Harlequins U18s and the Hampton School First XV. He’s since became a Quins regular.

The son of All Blacks legend Zinzan has signed a professional contract with Gallagher Premiership side London Irish. Lucas, who can play across the back-row or at hooker, grew up in England so is fully qualified to wear the red rose.