Australia skipper Michael Hooper will play for Japanese Top League side Toyota Verblitz next year after taking a sabbatical.

Honda Heat have confirmed the signing of four players including Blues fullback Matt Duffie ahead of the 2021 season.

Kobelco Steelers have confirmed the signing of former All Blacks duo Ben Smith and Aaron Cruden ahead of the next season.

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

New Zealand star fly-half Beauden Barrett will make his debut in the Japanese Top League next year after signed by Suntory Sungoliath.

Having made just shy of 200 competitive appearances for Gloucester, Tom Savage’s move to Japan came somewhat out of the blue.