Wales fans urge clubs to swoop for Japanese free agent

Wales fans have urged their club sides to approach Japanese international Shuhei Takeuchi who is a free agent after leaving League One side Urayasu D-Rocks in June.

Tight-head prop Takeuchi, 27, was part of a dominant Japan front row who outmuscled Wales in the first Test a week ago and, like hooker Mamoru Harada and loosehead prop Yota Kamimori, he impressively played all 80 minutes in the sweltering conditions in Kitakyushu.

Following Japan’s 24-19 come-from-behind win, Takeuchi spoke to the media in an online press conference on Wednesday.

The Miyazaki native, who made his professional debut for the Shining Arcs (now Urayasu D-Rocks) in the 18^th and final Top League (now League One) season in 2021, joked that despite being with his country on international duty, he remains ‘unemployed’.

“I am still unemployed at the moment,” said the former karate practitioner who made 17 appearances last season.

“Yes, I am completely unemployed,” he added (laughs).  

RugbyJP exclusively revealed in June that Takeuchi has held talks with French Pro D2 side FC Grenoble Rugby.

Grenoble were unsuccessful in their Top 14 promotion bid, coming up short in the promotion play-off for the third consecutive year, which could scupper the chances of the hard-working 6ft, 18-stone international making a dream move to Europe.  

Picture courtesy of JRFU - Takeuchi is wearing the red and white tape

Takeuchi, who has been named among the replacements for Saturday’s second Test in Kobe, said: “My first choice is to play overseas.

“I would prefer to play in Europe & there have been some developments, but nothing concrete yet.”

Welsh fans reacted to Takeuchi’s comments by urging their club sides to make a move for the in-demand front row who is known by his teammates as ‘TK”.

Fan Dylan Owens tagged Ospreys CEO Lance Bradley to RugbyJP’s post on X.

“One to pass on to (head coach) Mark (Jones) this,” he tweeted.  

The Ospreys Rugby Supporters account echoed that comment.

“Lance Bradley get (General Manager) Dan Griffiths a Japanese dictionary please.” 

One optimistic fan tagged Super Rygbi Cymru outfit Bridged Ravens who are now coached by ex-Ospreys hooker and former Wales international Scott Baldwin.  

Takeuchi's 70kg dumbbell row - Picture courtesy of JRFU

Japan hosts Wales at Noevir Stadium hoping to defeat a Tier 1 national in back-to-back Test matches for the first time while the visitors aim to stop the rot and end their two-year losing streak which now stands at 18 defeats in a row.