Kobe Steelers has announced the signing of Scottish international George Turner from Glasgow Warriors.
Edinburgh-born hooker Turner, 31, has 45 caps for his country and featured at the 2019 World Cup in Japan and last year in France as he scored his 10th try for Scotland at the 2023 showpiece in their match against Tonga.
Turner said: "I'm really looking forward to playing for Kobe Steelers. I couldn't pass up this wonderful opportunity to live and play in Japan. I've always wanted to play in Japan since the 2019 World Cup.
“Kobe Steelers are a great team and I want to contribute to their success. This is a great adventure not only for me but also for my family, who will gain do much from the experience. Japanese rugby is super exciting and I'm looking forward to taking on the challenge!"
Turner will become the second Scot to play for Kobe after Scott MacLeod spent a season in the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture in 2011.
Dave Rennie’s Kobe finished the 2023-2024 season in fifth place as they narrowly missed the cut for the play-offs.
While World Player of The Year and All Blacks captaincy contender Ardie Savea has returned home to New Zealand, further reinforcements are expected to be announced imminently.
Yokohama wing Inoke Burua and Toshiba centre Nicholas McCurran, who is currently with the Japanese national team in Miyazaki, are both tipped to join Kobe.
Picture courtesy of Glasgow Warriors
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