DONE | Japan star Kotaro Matsushima is on his way Europe

In a statement from Suntory, Matushima said he wanted to test himself at the highest level possible in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“I want to compete at a high level, for a strong club where I’m needed,” Matsushima said.

The 26-year-old South African-born back scored five tries, including a hat-trick against Russia, as hosts Japan reached the quarter-finals for the first time. 

He will join Clermont in the summer, going some way to making up for the loss at the end of this season of South African-born English international Nick Abendanon and Samoan-born former All Black Isaia Toeava.

The signing is “fantastic news for the club, our region and our supporters,” said Franck Azema, Clermont’s sporting director.

“My wish was to join a great rugby team and a club that really wanted me to be part of its goals,” Matsushima said in Clermont’s news release.

“The people of Clermont-Ferrand have been in contact with me for a long time and showed a lot of interest in my coming.”

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