England lock George Kruis and Welsh centre Hadleigh Parkes have signed to play for Panasonic Wild Knights in next year’s Japanese Top League, the club announced on Monday.
The 30-year-old will leave Saracens, who will be relegated to the Championship after being found guilty of salary cap breaches, following an 11-year stay.
🗞 George Kruis will depart Saracens at the end of the season.
— Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) May 25, 2020
Thank you for the memories, @GeorgeKruis 🙌 #TogetherSaracens ⚫️🔴 | #ThankYouKruiso
Kruis has spoken British & Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland and told him he would still “love” to be involved in next year’s tour to South Africa.
“I wanted him to know and I do not see going to Japan as counting myself out,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed it last time [in New Zealand in 2017] but time will tell.”
Kruis said in a separate statement: “Although this has clearly been a tough decision, I am extremely excited and honoured to take on this new challenge and chapter in my career.
“(This) is a really exciting time for rugby in Japan, following the tremendous World Cup they hosted last year.”
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The full list of who’s going & who’s staying at Saracens
Here’s our changing list of stayers, loaners, likely leavers and confirmed departures at Saracens.
STAYERS
- Owen Farrell
- Elliot Daly
- Jamie George
- Billy Vunipola
- Mako Vunipola
- Jackson Wray
- Ali Crossdale
- Vincent Koch