Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw to join Japan's NTT Shining Arcs next year

Former Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw is set to make his debut in the Japanese Top League next year after signed by NTT Shining Arcs.

The 34-year-old will be joining the likes of Australian back-row Liam Gill and New Zealand hooker Anaru Rangi for the Ichikawa based club.

Laidlaw started his club career with Edinburgh in 2007 and switched to Gloucester Rugby in 2014. After spending three seasons with the Cherry and Whites, he made a switch to French club Clermont Auvergne.

The 5ft 9in scrum-half admitted that he was keen to return to Japan after his positive experience in the country during the World Cup last year.

"At last year's Japan World Cup, I was able to experience the culture and meet wonderful fans," Laidlaw said in a statement.

"Every time I have visited Japan, I was welcomed with a wonderful hospitality."

Laidlaw has played 76 Tests for Scotland since his debut in 2010 and has amassed 714 points. He went on to become the captain of the Dark Blues in 2013 and represented them in the 2015 and 2019 World Cup editions.