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

By Online Editors

15 Jan 2020

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.

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.

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Comments on RugbyPass

JW 17 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

Yep it’s like saying WR racial segregates by stopping islanders playing for Japan. They’re essentially saying “no, you’re not japanese until you’ve spent 5 years there”.

Seems weird you’ve found a difference some how between the two groups though lol. But in case you haven’t noted, Moana and Fiji are for players developed locally but are more than able to select kiwis or even who you might look at as ‘whities’, and saying you can’t have a Maori team is the same as saying you can’t call you’re self Maori ('“no you’re not, you’re a New Zealander” LOL!) or a Cantabrian. Funny as hell take JH!

6 Go to comments

Joe 18 minutes ago

Ulster boss Richie Murphy levels accusation at Leinster after heavy loss

As I replied earlier to your lies re. Tadhg Beirne I have been wondering as to your actual nationality ? You deny you are a Saffer so I can only conclude you are a Taff embittered by the total collapse of Welsh rugby over the past few years ? Please deny !!

84 Go to comments

JW 25 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

Yep if the governing body wants to promote little japaense guys running around, that’s at school too, then that’s their prerogative.

It’s a little similar I suppose to american drafts principles.

6 Go to comments

JW 38 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

It’s no different than the reverse of putting a number on overseas players etc.

It is no different to nationalism in any form, to target race is racist in itself Finn.

6 Go to comments

Bob Salad II 41 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

Ring-fencing not racist. Personally, I’d like to see the English Prem also tighten eligibility rules.

6 Go to comments

JW 41 minutes ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

A good move by the JRFU but only required because of the high volume of foreign coaches who try to use the Cat A loophole to make up for ability. A move you’d have hoped they wouldn’t need to have taken but probably something that France will need to look at doing as well. Lets see the LNR fight that one haha

6 Go to comments

Joe 58 minutes ago

Ulster boss Richie Murphy levels accusation at Leinster after heavy loss

Hey Duck the Idiot , I just reached out to a mate of mine , the former CEO of Leinster rugby for 21 years and also a member of Lansdowne FC , Mick Dawson , who confirmed to me that Leinster did NOT make any offer to Tadhg Beirne prior to his signing for Munster - more of your BS Duck ? It seems to me that you are driven by a visceral hatred of Leinster and Irish rugby and it just demonstrates what a pathetic and hateful little person you are ! Get a life you little f**ker !

84 Go to comments

JH 59 minutes ago

Rob Leota joins growing list of Wallaby back rows heading north

Good ole France, doing their best to strip-mine SH rugby in the lead up to a world cup, while they never lose players because of their money.

Easy to rise near the top when you’re undermining the opposition.

8 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Reds make key change at fullback for clash with ‘impressive’ Blues

Is Jock the 1st choice option at fullback? I wouldn’t refer to Murray’s season as ‘reliable’ but I think he’s a lot of positives and it’s a pretty good debut season.

Going to be very interesting to see whether they can live upto the hype and hold the inform title champions out for 80. Another golden point game?

1 Go to comments

JH 1 hour ago

Japan's proposed anti-DEI 'blood' eligibility law after foreign player influx

Don’t agree that this is racist. It’s their team and their nation; the Japanese can do what they like. Their side has just become an imported joke. If only other sides would stop mass importing heritage and residency players.

Do agree about teams like the NZ Maori and even Moana Pasifika. Outdated concepts. I can imagine the usual double-standards outcry if a ‘European heritage only’ side was set up in Super Rugby.

6 Go to comments

FrankBrammer 1 hour ago

Former England star leads Benetton to huge URC result over Lions

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4 Go to comments

JH 1 hour ago

Crusaders impact could put veteran O’Connor in Wallabies mix for Lions

And this (and the Giteau Law) is why Aussie is so much smarter than the stuck in their ways NZR, who won’t even pick Kiwis playing for overseas Super teams.

The sooner the NZR get their heads out of wherever they’re buried, the sooner the All Blacks will improve.

9 Go to comments

JH 1 hour ago

Mark Tele'a's departure sends unsettling message to NZRU over wantaway All Blacks

Should have redirected Rieko Ioane’s unjustified salary towards Tele’a, at least one of them makes a difference. This sign them to halfway through a world cup cycle thing the NZR does (or is held to ransom by) really is not helpful at all.

Given his conservatism last year, Razor will probably just go with Clarke and Reece. If any new player does make the squad, they’ll get given little game time unless a mass of injuries occur. I’d say Billy Proctor will be the next to leave given he’s stuck behind the worst 13 in NZ, and ALB as well.

24 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Dominant tackles don’t mean what you think they mean. They mean someone like Christian Leo-Willie came along after you pinched the ball say. Might not have really been anything to do with the tackle.

16 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Maybe it is their own back yard? Ever think of that with your oneeyed vision?Anyway no idea what you guys are talking about!

16 Go to comments

JW 1 hour ago

Crusaders name rookie loose forward to start against the Highlanders

Lol posting on the wrong article? What did it used to say?