Welcome to RugbyJP.com’s first Weekly Gossip Column as we round-up all the latest news, transfer rumours, departures and more.
League One division two leaders Urayasu D-Rocks appear to have wrapped up a deal to bring in Leicester Tigers number eight and reigning World Cup winner Jasper Wiese next season.
The Springbok was heavily linked to a move to the big-spending Chiba outfit in December but has now almost confirmed the switch after he started to follow the second tier side on Instagram. (Jasper Wiese’s Instagram)
Toshiba Brave Lupus teammates Richie Mo'unga, Shannon Frizell and Seta Tamanivalu recharged their batteries during the League One break with their families in Guam.
Unbeaten Toshiba returned to action on Saturday with a 27-7 triumph over Yokohama Canon Eagles. (Richie Mo'unga’s Instagram)
D-Rocks has officially unveiled Hawke’s Bay’s stalwart lock Tom Parsons as their latest signing. (D-Rocks)
Division three outfit Mazda Skyactives Hiroshima announced that Jackson Pugh has joined the club for the remainder of the season from Western Force.
Pugh, 23, who made his Force debut in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season and played 13 Super Rugby games for the club, was granted an early release from his contract to make the move overseas. (Mazda Skyactives Hiroshima) Reigning division one champions Kubota Spears confirmed the immediate retirement of veteran hooker Hiroaki Sugimoto, 35, who scored a try in Saturday’s 56-19 win over Kintetsu Liners (Kubota Spears)
‘Rugby stuck in the ice age’ – Toyota Shuttles’ Freddie Burns (Rugby Paper – Subscription required)
Kobe Steelers’ World Player of The Year Ardie Savea’s Japan culinary adventure: Mastering the art of onigiri wrapping (New Zealand Herald)
Life story of Toyota Verblitz’s Pieter-Steph du Toit (Sports Brief)
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